
c>c^^6.-i,<..H..^z.,CM^r ^^. f^^^ 




Regimental Commissary Sergeant 

2nd Lieutenant Co. C, June 6, 1863 

1st Lieutenant Co. E, Nov. 4, 1864 

Captain Co. C, Nov. 26, 1864 

Brevetteo Major by the President "for Gallant Service in the 

Campaigns of the Shenandoah Valley in 1864." 



War Diary 

OF 

Luman Harris Tenney 

1861 - 1865 



Printed for Private Circulation 

by 

Frances Andrews Tenney 
Obcrlin, Ohio 



Evangelical Publishing House 

CLEVELAND, O. 
1914 






Copyright, 1914, by Frances Andrews Tenney 






6 






in 



III 



Pr^far^ 



MY thanks are here tendered to those who have 
helped me in getting together the contents of this 
book : to General A. B. Nettleton who so shortly 
before his death showed his interest by writing the Intro- 
ductory notes and making various explanations ; to Captain 
Henry Chester who kindly allowed the use of the map he 
had drawn and who spent time in verifying the names of 
places and in elucidating certain doubtful points ; to Miss 
Helen E. Keep who compiled the Genealogical Chart; 
to Mr. W. R. Austin who gave the use of the Custer 
Badge; to others who were always ready to answer 
questions and to Mrs. Theodore E. Tenney who aided 
in deciphering the fine script of the five well worn little 
diary books, and in putting them into typewritten form. 
— F. D. T. 

Oberlin, August, 1914. 



3IUu0trattnn0 



Luman H, Tenney ..... Frontispiece 

His Autograph. 

Luman Harris Tenney ..... 3 

Before enlisting. 

The Tenney Family, Oberlin, 1855 . . . .48 

The Andrews House ...... 62 

Built in 1853. 

The Andrews House ...... 63 

As It Looked After Being Remodeled in 1902. 

Fannie Andrews ...... 88 

At nineteen. 

Melissa and baby Carrie ...... 138 

Colonel Alvred Bayard Nettleton , . . . 139 
Brevetted Brigadier General. 

Brother Theodore ...... 150 

Killed in the last great battle at Five Forks, Va. 

Poplar Grove National Cemetery at Petersburg, Va. . .152 

Bernard Frederick and his mother .... 154 

Custer's Badge ....... 157 

The B. F. Group 172 

B. F. Seal 173 

The Tenney Family ...... 176 

Taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1879. 

Front view of the Andrews-Tenney Home, taken in 1912 . 177 
The Tenney family resided here after 1882. 

Luman Harris Tenney, 1879 ..... 178 

Genealogical Chart ...... 188 



VII 



INTRODUCTORY NOTES 
By a. B. Nettleton, June 10, 1911. 

When the Civil War began, early in April, 1861, by the Seces- 
sionists firing upon and capturing Fort Sumter in Charleston Har- 
bor, S. C, the general though transient belief at the North was that 
in about sixty days the United States Government, with an army 
of about a hundred thousand men, could certainly crush the re- 
bellion and restore order. Acting upon this popular assumption, 
President Lincoln on April 15th, 1861, called for Seventy-five Thou- 
sand ninety-day Volunteers, which force added to the then existing 
though badly scattered regular army of about Twenty-five Thou- 
sand men, made up the desired force of One Hundred Thousand. 
Preliminary skirmishes and unimportant engagements took place 
during the next few weeks, and on July 21, 1861, occurred the first 
serious battle of the war — that of Bull Run, or Manassas, in Vir- 
ginia, near Washington, in which the Union Army was badly de- 
feated. The whole country was aroused and alarmed. Realizing 
the desperate nature of the conflict thus entered upon. President 
Lincoln, under an act of Congress, then promptly called for three 
hundred thousand volunteers, for three years or "during the war." 

At that time Hon. Benjamin F. Wade was one of the two Ohio 
Senators in Congress, and Hon. John Hutchins, of Warren, Ohio, 
was the Representative in Congress from the District embracing 
Northeastern Ohio. Immediately following the battle of Bull Run 
these two men asked and received from the President authority to 
recruit and organize a regiment of cavalry from the counties of 
the Western Reserve, with headquarters at Cleveland. Under this 
authority the Second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry enlisted and organ- 
ized, and their camp of rendezvous was named Camp Wade. No 
better material ever formed the rank and file of a volunteer regi- 
ment. Governor Denison appointed Charles W. Doubleday to be 
the first Colonel of the Regiment, as he had acquired some mili- 
tary experience while serving as a member of a filibustering expedi- 
tion against Nicaraugua, and possessed energy and dignity. Lorain 
County furnished one company for the Second Cavalry, one hun- 
dred men. Most of these came from the southern part of the 
county, and mainly from the village of Wellington and vicinity. 
Between August 25th and September 9th, nine young men from 
Oberlin, mostly college students, enlisted in this so-called Welling- 
ton Company, designated as Company "H", and joined the regi- 
ment at Camp Wade as privates, none anticipating official position 
of any sort. This Oberlin contingent consisted of the following 
besides the writer: Luman Harris Tenney, Charles Grandison 

IX 



X Introductory Notes 

Fairchild, Henry W. Chester, W. Tully Norton, John Devlin, (after- 
ward killed in battle), Delos R. Haynes, William P. Bushnell and 
Hamlin S. Bigelow. This group was afterward increased to ten 
by the enlistment in the winter of 1862-3 of Theodore A. Tenney, 
who was killed in the last great battle of the War, at Five Forks, 
Va., April 1, 1865, nine days before Lee surrendered at Appomat- 
tox, as recorded in the following diary of Major Tenney. No 
better or braver soldier ever yielded up his life on the battle 
field. In the course of Major Tenney 's diary entries he refers fre- 
quently to various members of this Oberlin party by initials, thus : 
To Wm. Robinson, (L. H. Tenney's assistant) as "Bob" ; to Nettle- 
ton as A. B. or A. B. N. ; to Delos Haynes as D. R. ; to Fairchild as 
Charles, C. G. or C. G. F. ; to Bushnell as Will ; to Chester as Chet ; 
to Theodore, his brother, as Thede. 

The regiment was uniformed, mustered into the United States 
service, armed with carbines, sabres and revolvers, and drilled at 
Camp Wade, and then, in November, 1861, removed to Camp Deni- 
son, near Cincinnati, to be nearer the scene of action, and then in 
December and January transported to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 
and Platte City, Mo., on the following errand : 

In December, 1861, the President, at the urgent solicitation of 
several influential but unwise western politicians, authorized the 
eccentric but forceful United States Senator James H. Lane of Kan- 
sas, commonly then called "Jim Lane", to organize and dispatch a 
force of about 20,000 Federal troops, Infantry, Cavalry and Artil- 
lery, intending to march southward through Kansas, Indian Terri- 
tory, (now part of Oklahoma) , and into Texas, in order as Lane ex- 
pressed it, "to attack the Southern Confederacy through its back 
door." The Second Ohio Cavalry by military chance formed a part 
of this expeditionary force. Our Colonel Doubleday was its rank- 
ing officer, and from this fact and because of his undoubted com- 
petency was entitled to command the army, br^ Lane's favoritism 
preferred one Colonel Wier, of the tenth Kansas, and Colonel Dou- 
bleday, in June, 1862, resigned his position in rage and disgust, and 
never re-entered the army. Wier quickly proved to be a drunken 
good-for-naught, was placed in arrest by his subordinate officers 
and replaced by Colonel Salomon of the Ninth Wisconsin. This ex- 
peditionary army was increased by the addition of about 2,500 
wild Indians, mainly Osages, Cherokees and Creeks. These were 
opposed to about an equal number of disloyal or Confederate In- 
dians on the other side. Thus the Second Ohio boys had the novel 
experience of fighting with and against real red Indians, in their 
war-paint, and using their native war-whoop with a vengeance in 
every engagement. 

Our expedition encountered almost torrid heat in the Indian 
Territory, lost great numbers of men and animals from this cause 
and other needless hardships, and in July turned east and north 
into Missouri and Arkansas where there was plenty of legitimate 
campaigning and fighting under competent commanders. At the 



Introductory Notes XI 

close of 1862 the regiment was transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, 
to be recruited, remounted, rearmed, and sent, under General Burn- 
side through Kentucky into East Tennessee, as recorded in detail 
in this diary. 

ORGANIZATION OF A CAVALRY REGIMENT 

It may render clearer some entries in this diary if the organ- 
ization of a Regiment of Cavalry, under the laws and regulations of 
that period, is explained here: 

Each regiment contained twelve companies, of one hundred 
men each, exclusive of Commissioned Officers. These twelve com- 
panies were divided into three Battalions of four companies each, 
a Major being in immediate command of each Battalion. 

Commissioned Officers: All commissioned officers serving in 
a volunteer regiment were commissioned by the Governor of the 
State, and mustered into the Army of the United States. In a 
Cavalry Regiment they were as follows : 

FIELD OFFICERS 

One Colonel, commanding the Regiment. 

One Lieutenant Colonel, commanding in absence of Colonel. 

Three Majors, one for each of the three Battalions. 

LINE OFFICERS 

12 Captains, one commanding each Company. 
12 First Lieutenants, one for each Company. 
12 Second Lieutenants, one for each Company. 

staff OFFICERS 

One Surgeon, with rank and pay of Major. 

One Assistant Surgeon, with rank and pay of 1st Lieut. 

One Chaplain, with rank and pay of Captain. 

One Regimental Quartermaster, (First Lieutenant). 

One Regimental Commissary, (First Lieutenant). 

One Regimental Adjutant, (First Lieutenant). 

Three Battalion Adjutants, (First Lieutenant). 

Three Battalion Quartermasters, (First Lieutenant). 

Three Battalion Commissaries, (First Lieutenant). 

Non-commissioned Officers: All appointed by the Colonel of 
the regiment. 

staff 

One Regimental Sergeant-major. 
Three Battalion Sergeant-majors. 
One Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. 
Three Battalion Quartermaster Sergeants. 
One Regimental Commissary Sergeant. 
Three Battalion Commissary Sergeants. 



XII Introductory Notes 

Line : 

Eight Sergeants to each Company. 

Eight Corporals to each Company. 

(These Company, or Line, noncommissioned officers were num- 
bered from one to eight, respectively, and bore rank and 
authority accordingly.) 

During 1861 and 1862 Luman Harris Tenney served as (staff) 
Commissary Sergeant of Major Purington's Battalion. 
After being promoted to Second and then First Lieuten- 
ant he served mainly with Companies E and C ; and when 
promoted to Captain he was assigned to command Com- 
pany "C." Because of his marked efficiency in and inti- 
mate knowledge of the Quartermaster's and Commis- 
sary's duties he was often detailed to perform these du- 
ties, when he would have much preferred duty "in the 
Line," that is, in the command of his Company or of a de- 
tachment of troops. When on the details referred to he 
almost always managed to get permission to go into bat- 
tles and on scouts where danger was greatest, although 
his duty did not call for such exposure. 

CERTAIN CAVALRY BUGLE CALLS 

In the Cavalry Service the following Bugle Calls were sounded 
from Regimental or Company headquarters each day, except when 
in action, or so near the Enemy that all sounds of this nature were 
prohibited for prudential reasons : 

"Reveille!" At daybreak, or sunrise usually and at such 
earlier hour as the commanding officer may previously have di- 
rected when actively campaigning. Upon this signal the First 
Sergeant, commonly called the Orderly Sergeant, of each Company 
sees to it that every man of his Company falls promptly into line 
for the morning Roll-call. Every soldier who fails to respond to 
his name is marked "absent without leave" and he has a reckoning 
to make afterward. 

"Breakfast Call." Usually an hour or half hour after 
"Reveille," to secure prompt and uniform breakfasting. 

"Sick Call." At nine o'clock A. M. each morning when in 
camp. The Orderly Sergeant of each Company brings to Regi- 
mental headquarters those men of his Company who claim or ap- 
pear to be sick. There they are looked over or questioned by the 
Surgeon or his assistant who either prescribes and furnishes medi- 
cine and excuses from duty for the day, or sends to the Hospital 
or frankly tells the soldier that he is not sick. 

"Retreat." This sounded at sunset, when evening roll-call oc- 
curs by companies. Thereafter the soldiers who are not on night 
duty proceed to amuse themselves as best they may in or about 
their tents, singing songs, playing cards and other games, etc., 
but never boisterously. Under proper circumstances passes are 



Introductory Notes XIII 

given to a certain number from each company to go outside camp 
lines, to the neighboring town for example. 

"Boots and Saddles." This stirring call is given whenever a 
sudden emergency requires the command to be instantly in readi- 
ness to march and fight. 

"Taps." At nine or ten o'clock p. m. according to previous 
general orders, when all lights must be out in camp, all soldiers 
unless on night duty must be in bed, and general quiet must 
prevail. 

THE SECOND OHIO CAVALRY IN THE EAST 

It will be noticed under date March 25th, 1864, in the diary, 
that the Second Ohio Cavalry had been ordered to return to duty 
in Tennessee after the "veteran furlough" given as partial reward 
for re-enlisting for three years more, and that upon reaching Cin- 
cinnati a telegram from the Secretary of War changed the destina- 
tion of the Regiment to Annapolis, Maryland, to which place the 
command at once proceeded. This change meant that we were to 
serve the remainder of our time with the Armies of the East, and 
the boys were jubilant over the prospect, mainly for the opportun- 
ity given for variety and observation. The change was due to 
the special request made by General A. E. Burnside of Gen. Grant 
that our Regiment might be sent east and again attached to 
his Ninth (Infantry) Corps. We had been under his command 
throughout our service in Kentucky and Tennessee, and he had 
taken a great liking to our ways of doing things. 

When Grant and Meade started the Army of the Potomac May 
1, 1864, upon its great and sanguinary campaign against Lee, the 
Second Cavalry formed a part of the great army by being attached 
to Burnside's Ninth Corps. In this capacity we passed through a 
part of the Campaign of the Wilderness, as described in the diary. 
In May, '64, it became apparent that the cavalry must be massed, 
and the Second was accordingly merged in Sheridan's Cavalry 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac, in which connection it served 
to the end of the War. The Cavalry Corps was organized into three 
Divisions, the First, Second and Third. The Third Division was com- 
manded by Gen's James H. Wilson and George A. Custer, and the 
Second Ohio Cavalry was made one of the five regiments constitut- 
ing the First Brigade of that Division. At first the Cavalry Corps 
was commanded directly by General Sheridan, but when he was 
made Commander of the Army of the Shenandoah, which included 
the Cavalry Corps, the latter came under command of, first. General 
Wilson, and then General Torbert. Generals Sheridan and Custer 
probably have had no superiors in history as commanders of 
Cavalry. 

The esteem in which the Second Ohio was held by the great 
generals under which it served is sufficiently indicated by, (1) 
the request by General Burnside, (already mentioned), to have 



XIV Introductory Notes 

the regiment sent from west to east so as to have it part of his 
command; (2) the comment by General Sheridan, quoted in this 
diary, that the second was without superior in the Army; (3) the 
fact that both Burnside and Custer with rare exceptions sent for 
the Second Ohio whenever any particularly difficult and dangerous 
task was to be performed; (4) in a letter to Governor Brough of 
Ohio, dated November, 1864, General Custer says: "Among all 
the twelve regiments of my Division none excels the Second Ohio. 
I have often seen it hold positions in battle when almost any other 
command would have felt compelled to retreat." 



A PERSONAL WORD 

It may not be out of place if I add this as a foot-note to the 
accompanying interesting record of personal Civil War experience : 

As his companion-in-arms throughout the Great Conflict, and 
his regimental commander during the months and years when he 
rendered his most arduous and perilous military service, I can 
say, without one reservation, that a braver soldier, a more gallant, 
intelligent and effective regimental officer I did not know or meet 
in the Union Army than was Major Luman H. Tenney. In spite 
of the delicate physical constitution and resulting handicap with 
which he entered the army, he never spared himself, but was 
always ready and eager to share in the hardest enterprises. His 
clean and noble character never for a moment wavered in the pres- 
ence of the often demoralizing environment and the moral strain 
of four years of life in the field. On the contrary, his example, 
bearing and conversation, always manly, soldierly, cheerful and 
friendly, exerted unpretentiously a robust influence for good. The 
whole atmosphere of his diary, which largely records his inmost 
thoughts and aspirations, written down often amid scenes of peril, 
anguish and slaughter, sufficiently reveals the high order of Chris- 
tian faith and principle which actuated his conduct from start to 
finish. 

In penning this memorandum I am not conscious that I am at 
all influenced toward unmerited commendation by the fact that 
Major Tenney during the War became my brother, and until his 
early death continued to be a brother in deed. 

MEMORANDUM 

Commanding Generals under ivhom the Second Ohio Served: 

The Second Ohio Cavalry, during its four years of service in 
the Civil War, served under the following Commanding Generals : 

From December, 1861, to December, 1862, under Major-Gen- 
eral James G. Blunt, commanding The Army of the Frontier, in 
Missouri, Kansas. Arkansas and Indian Territory. 



Introductory Notes XV 

From March, 1863, until December 31, 1863, under Major- 
General Ambrose E. Burnside, commanding the Ninth Corps and 
The Army of the Ohio, in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, 
Ohio and Indiana. 

From April 20th, 1864, to May 20th, 1864, under Major-Gen- 
eral Ambrose E, Burnside, commanding The Ninth Army Corps 
of the Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, in General Grant's 
campaign of the Wilderness, in Virginia. 

From May 20, to Sept. 30, 1864, under Gen. James H. Wilson. 

From Oct. 1, 1864, to the surrender of Lee's army at Appomat- 
tox, Virginia, April 9, 1865, under Bvt. Major-General George A. 
Custer, commanding the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps of the 
Army of the Potomac, the Corps being commanded by Major- 
General Philip H. Sheridan. 

During this period Sheridan's Cavalry Corps, including Wil- 
son's Third Division of Twelve Regiments, was joined with the 
Sixth and Nineteenth Corps of the Infantry with their complement 
of Artillery, to constitute the Army of the Shenandoah, and Middle 
Military Division, under the command of General Sheridan, for 
operation in the Shenadoah Valley of Virginia. 

During the time from April 20th, 1864, to the close of the 
War, while the Second Ohio Cavalry was part of the Army of the 
Potomac proper it was under the general command of Major-Gen- 
eral George G. Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, and 
under the general command all of the time of General Ulysses S. 
Grant commanding all the Armies of the United States and making 
his headquarters with General Meade and the Army of the Potomac. 

States and Territories in luhich the Regiment rendered Active 

Service: 

During its Four Years of Service it was the lot of the Second 
Ohio Cavalry to serve actively against the enemy in more States 
and Territories than any of the nearly three thousand Regiments 
of the Great Union Army, thus : 

Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, 

Kansas, Tennessee, Maryland, 

Arkansas, West Virginia, Virginia, 

Indian Territory, Ohio, North Carolina, 

District of Columbia. 

Character of Service: 

The function and duty of Cavalry in active campaigning re- 
quire it to be ever on the alert, by means of scouting, raiding the 
enemy's lines, reconnoitering, protecting wagon trains and artil- 
lery, foraging, defending the rear of the army on retreat, furnish- 
ing advance guards and flanking parties on the march through 
the enemy's country, etc. All this service involves at times almost 
constant conflict with the enemy, with necessary danger, frequent 
casualties and captures on both sides, but this sort of work, al- 
though perilous enough, and productive of the utmost fatigue, ex- 



XVI Introductory Notes 

posure and hardship, cannot be classed under the head of "Battles" 
and seldom gets into press dispatches, or official reports which are 
preserved. 

BATTLES AND IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENTS IN WHICH 
THE SECOND OHIO CAVALRY SHARED. 

On January 2nd, 1865, the Commanding Officer of the Second 
Ohio Cavalry requested the War Department to authorize him to 
place on the Colors of the Regiment the names of the well-recog- 
nized and historic Battles and Important Engagements in which the 
Regiment had participated honorably prior to May 20, 1864. Pur- 
suant to said request, and upon the recommendation of the respec- 
tive Commanding Generals under whom the battle service referred 
to was rendered, the War Department duly authorized the names 
of the following battles to be thus inscribed : 

"Headquarters, District of South Kansas, 

Paola, Jan. 19th, 1865. 

I respectfully recommend that the within request be granted. 

The 2nd 0. V. C. participated in the engagements named under 

my command. 

(Signed) Jas. G. Blunt, Major General." 
Newtonia, Missouri, Oct. 4, 1862. 
Cane Hill, Arkansas, Nov. 4, 1862. 
Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Dec. 7, 1862. 

"Providence, R. I., Jan. 10, 1865. 
Respectfully forwarded with the recommendation that the 
within request be granted, as this Regiment while under my com- 
mand always fought with conspicuous daring and efficiency. .^^ 

(Signed) A. E. Burnside, ^ 

Major Ge7ieral." 
Steubenville, Kentucky, 1863. 
Buffington Island, Ohio, July 19, 1863. 
Richmond, Kentucky, July 28, 1863. 
Cumberland Gap, Kentucky, Sept. 9, 1863. 
Blue Springs, Tennessee, Oct. 10, 1863. 
Knoxville, Tennessee, Nov. 17 to Dec. 4, 1863. 
Russellville, Tennessee, 1863. 
Bean Station, Tennessee, Dec. 14, 1863. 

On the same date the Commanding Officer of the Second Ohio 
Cavalry made the following request of the War Department : 

"I have the honor to ask permission to inscribe 'The Wilder- 
ness' upon the colors of my Regiment, in recognition of the part 
the 2nd Ohio Cavalry bore in the Wilderness Campaign, from the 
5th to the 20th of May, 1864, while forming part of the Ninth Army 
Corps, under the command of Major-General Burnside." 

The Wilderness, Virginia, 1864. 



Introductory Notes XVII 

In his endorsement, dated Jan, 10, 1865, recommending the 
desired inscription, Gen. Burnside wrote as follows: 

"I most cheerfully endorse my approval of your request, and 
shall be glad to know that your regimental colors bear upon their 
folds the names of those fields where its members have proved 
themselves faithful and efficient defenders of their Country." 

From the Battles of the Wilderness campaign, in May, 1864, 
to the close of the War the service of the Second Cavalry, in com- 
mon with its associate Regiments in Custer's Third Division, was 
nearly one continuous series of battles, engagements, skirmishes, 
raids and marches. 

The principal Battles and Important Engagements in which 
the Second participated under Custer during the period now re- 
ferred to are as follows : 

The Wilderness, Virginia, (that part of Grant's Campaign 
of the Wilderness following the 20th of May, 1864, when we ceased 
to be under the command of Gen. Burnside and to form part of 
the Ninth Corps), 1864. 

Hanover Court House, Virginia, 1864. 

Ashland Station, Virginia, 1864. 

The Wilson Cavalry Raid around the right of Lee's Army in 
June, 1864. 

Siege of Richmond and Petersburg (including picket duty on 
the left of Grant and Meade's besieging army ; and in the reserve 
force on the occasion of the mine explosion at Petersburg in July 
and early August), 1864. 

Sheridan's Campaigns and Battles of the Shenandoah, Aug. 
'64 to Feb. '65, including the following battles : 

Abraham's Creek, Virginia, 1864. 

Winchester, Virginia, (or the Opequon), 1864. 

Fisher's Hill, Virginia, 1864. 

Tom's Brook, Virginia, 1864. 

Cedar Creek, Virginia, 1864. 

Waynesboro, Virginia, February, 1865. 

Sheridan's Cavalry Raid, from Winchester, Va., to White 
House Landing, on the Pamunkey River, tide water, Feb. and 
March, 1865. 

Grant's Appomattox Campaign, Va., which ended in the sur- 
render of Lee and his army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. 

Five Forks, Dinwiddie, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox Sta- 
tion, Virginia, 1865. 



Copy of Entries in the Diaries 

Kept by 

Major Luman Harris Tenney 

During his Service in the 

U. S. Army in the War of the RebelHon 

From the date 
Sept. 9, 1861, to the date of his Muster- Out, July 11, 1865 



XIX 



War Diary 



SEPTEMBER, 1861. 



Sept. 9th. Enlisted. At home till Sept. 14th. Splendid time. 

Monday, 16th. Bid all the dear friends at home good-bye, and 
left Oberlin for the camp. (Camp Wade, Cleveland, Ohio.) Ac- 
companied Lizzie Cobb home, and called on Helen Cobb. Took tea 
at Lizzie's with Charlie Fairchild. Commenced camp life. 

Tuesday, 17th. Went through with the regular routine of 
camp life until five. Went over to Uncle's and took tea. Wrote 
home and to Fannie Andrews. 

Wednesday, 18th. Arose at the firing of the cannon. After 
the morning drill started for town and met Uncle. (Albert Har- 
ris.) Returned and was introduced to Colonel (Chas. W. Double- 
day), Major Miner and the Quartermaster. (Lt. Abbey.) 

Thursday, 19th. Drilled during the day. Received bundle 
from home through Delos (Haynes), also a line. 

Friday, 20th. Received appointment of Com.-Sergt. 

21st. Commenced to learn my duties. Drilled with the non- 
commissioned officers by the Adjutant. 

22nd. In the morning Lt. Nettleton and I went over to the 
Cathedral. In the afternoon visited at Uncle's. Returned to camp 
and found thousands of visitors. Such a Sunday. Prayer meeting 
in the evening. 

23rd. Stayed in camp during the day, went out with non- 
commissioned officers. Stayed over night in camp. Had quite a 
visit with Sergeant Townsend — good fellow. 

24th. Thede came. He went to the circus. I watched for 
horses. In the evening went in and saw them play billiards. 
Stayed at Uncle's. 

25th. In the morning went over to camp. Commenced work. 
Thede went over to Uncle's after dinner. Went to tea. Called on 
Lizzie Cobb. Had a fine time. 

26th. Fast day. In the morning Thede and I had our pictures 
taken for Aunt Rhodilla and one of Thede alone for Lizzie Cobb. 
Went to camp. Worked in the Quartermaster's barracks. Services 
at two. Aunt and Uncle were over. 



2 War Diary 

28th. Went down and tried some horses. Took one that John 
Devlin chose for me. I stayed in camp. Thede at Uncle's. 

29th. Went over to see Thede. Attended Mr. White's church 
— Thede the Cathedral. Took tea at Byron's. Heard Mr. Van 
Meter again in the evening. 

30th. Thede returned in the morning. I felt rather ill from 
a hard cold. 

OCTOBER, 1861. 

1st. My birthday (twenty) — what a contrast between this 
one and that of the year before. Spent the day about as usual. 

9th. My mother's birthday. The Wellington Three Hundred 
came to camp. Somewhat indisposed. Had a good time though. 

10th. Played chess with Miss Hamlin, and visited with the 
other girls. Wrote to Fannie. 

11th. Rainy and unpleasant in the morning. Cleared up rath- 
er cold in the afternoon. Fannie, Libbie, and Fannie Hudson came 
to camp. So surprised, but glad. 

12th. The girls (Minnie and Lissa) came out. Met them 
at Uncle's. Found Fannie and the other girls at the camp. At- 
tended a picnic, Company I, in the afternoon. Went to Aunt 
Jones', Fannie too. Spent the evening, good time. Col. Ratliffe. 

Sunday. Took Fannie over to Helen's. Returned to camp 
to hear the Chaplain. Fannie and Mrs. Cobb came over too late for 
the preaching. 

14th. Went to town with Will. (Bushnell.) Saw Fannie in 
the evening. 

15th. Called to see Fannie in the morning. Saw her to Ober- 
lin cars in the afternoon. 

16th. A letter by the kindness of Mrs. Haynes. Stood guard 
for Delos a little while. 

17th. Phoebe Haynes was in camp. Sang. 

20th. Boys prepared Camp Taylor for our reception. 

21st. Moved after a picked up breakfast to the fair grounds. 

23rd. Changed my quarters for noncommissioned staff — was 
sorry. 

24th. Rather strange life — smoking and such talk! 

From Oct. 25th to Nov. 3rd stayed in camp; got our horses; 
duties occupied most of my time — rode some — horse almost sick. 

NOVEMBER, 1861. 

Nov. 4th. Rainy and unpleasant. Stayed in camp, rather dull, 
wrote home. 

Nov. 5th. Rode to Uncle Jones' with Roxena and Watson. 

6th. Attended concert at Academy of Music by invitation 
from Nell. She sang well. Nettleton there. 




LUMAN HARRIS TENNEY 
Before Exlisting at the Age of Nineteen 



4 War Diary 

7th. Went home with Nettie Chidgey and Lizzie Cobb. Went 
to hear the Minstrels — disgusted. 

8th. At Charlie Abbey's candy-pull in the evening. 

10th. Sunday. Remained in camp. Chaplain preached a good 
sermon on morals. Read the Atlantic Monthly and Harper's. 

13th. By permission of the Colonel went to Uncle Jones', took 
my fatigue coat. Supper at Uncle Albert's — a pleasant visit. 

14th. Returned from Uncle's. Letter from Fannie. Mrs. 
Helen Cobb, her mother-in-law and sister, Cousin Byron Harris 
and Miss Chidgey were in camp. Good visit. 

15th. A cold rainy day. Some snow towards night. Spent 
the evening at the tent. Played checkers and read. Boys played 
euchre. 

16th. Theodore surprised me in the morning. Took a ride 
to Woodland Cemetery. Lizzie and Nettie came to camp. Heard 
Slade, Riddle and several others in the evening. 

17th. Sunday. Stayed at Uncle's in the morning. Theodore 
rode my horse to Uncle Jones'. Stayed over night. 

18th. Monday. Theodore, Roxena and mother came to camp 
in the afternoon. 

21st. Visited Uncle Washington's boat "The Rawson." Heard 
Gough lecture. 

23rd. Brownell and Brooks left on furlough, so I had double 
duties. 

24th. Sunday. Stayed in camp. D. R. H. and C. G. F. went 
up town. Read some and wrote home. 

25th. Was kept very busy all day with wood. 

26th. Made arrangements to go home but couldn't. 

27th. Went home on the freight. Surprised the folks. In 
the evening attended a party at Delos'. Had a grand time — all the 
young people there. 

28th. C. G. and D. R. returned to camp. Visited, called at 
Fannie's. Splendid time. Attended a small charade party at Mrs. 
Holtslander's. Thanksgiving meetings. 

29th. At Prof. Morgan's to a tea party — a nice visit. Made 
several calls. Called at Fannie's. 

30th. Made several calls with Fannie — enjoyed them so much. 
Returned to Cleveland with Ma and Theodore. 



DECEMBER, 1861. 

Dec. 1st. Sunday. Spent in camp and at Uncle's. Was paid 
off. 

2nd. Wrote and sent a package to Fannie. Bid the friends 
good-bye and left for Camp Denison. A noisy time — boys drunk — 
slept in caboose. 

3rd. Reached Camp Denison where were encamped 8,000 
troops. 

4th. Was obliged to work hard in the commissary. 



January, 1862 5 

Through the remainder of the month nothing of special in- 
terest occurred. The same daily routine of business. Through 
order of Quartermaster Thayer, the quartermaster and commissary 
sergeants formed a mess by themselves. Christmas lost my pocket- 
book containing upwards of five dollars. 

JANUARY, 1862. 

Jan. 1st. Wrote, rode and read some. In the morning went 
over to Company I's quarters. Wrote to Ella Clark. Made some 
resolutions for the future. 

2nd. Wrote some and read in ''Shirley." 

3rd. Received a letter from Fannie. Was busy with wood 
until dark. 

4th. Answered Fannie's letter. Received a package from 
home — letter, pocketbook, etc. 

5th. A blustering, cold day. Delivered wood in the morning, 
then kept in the house quite closely. 

6th. Word came that we should go under Jim Lane. (Sen- 
ator Lane of Kansas.) 

7th. Paymaster telegraphed to, and preparations for leaving 
Camp Denison. 

8th. Men sent to Columbus to help in making out pay-rolls. 

9th. Mr. Haynes came to camp, brought a letter to me. Went 
over and ate some doughnuts. Gay time in the evening. 

10th. Visited some with Mr. Haynes. He and Delos went to 
Cincinnati. 

12th. Sunday. No services. Read and wrote. 

13th. Principal Fairchild came down. Letters from home and 
Fannie. Also a book from her — "Sermons on the New Life." 

14th. Prin. Fairchild returned home. Stayed with John Dev- 
lin over night. Cooked rations and packed up. 

Jan. 15th. Arrangements to move at 9 A. M. for Cincinnati — 
marched mounted by country road. Went on ahead with Robinson, 
overtook Abbey and Wood. Rode on my horse about the city. P. M. 
took cars for St. Louis — 1,300 strong. 

16th. Enjoyed the trip much, especially the prairies, saw one 
on fire. Left over one train. 

17th. Reached the eastern bank of the Mississippi, unable 
to cross on account of ice. 

18th. Rode out into the country with Delos and John. Got 
some milk. 

19th. Moved over the river in afternoon, found our barracks 
(Benton) occupied and unfit. Camped out in the fair grounds. 
Men occupied the amphitheatre. 

20th. Moved into tents. Found missing equipment. Severe 
cold and rash. 

21st. First Battalion moved on horseback for St. Charles at 
nine A. M. Wrote to Uncle Albert. 



6 War Diary 

22nd. Second Battalion moved, the distance nineteen miles, 
over the most lovely country I have yet seen — rolling and beautiful. 
Took care of Sergeant Button and our colonel during the night. 
First Battalion got to St. Charles. Lost my revolver. 

23rd. Rode a little while about town. The boys better. 

24th. Had quite a cold, so kept close to quarters. 

25th. Arose at 3 A. M., fed, watered and prepared to move. 
Second Battalion moved at ten A. M. Some rolling country and 
some level prairie. Passed burnt bridge where guards were sta- 
tioned. 

26th. Arrived at Hudson, Mo., midnight. Next morning, Sun- 
day, reshipped men and horses and left in the freight cars at nine 
P. M. 

27th. Rode over prairies and rough road to St. Joseph, Mo. 
Moved toward Weston. 

28th. After forty hours reached Weston at two P. M. Fed, 
watered and marched for Platte City at six P. M. Five letters. 
Major was fired at. 

31st. Letter from Will Hudson. Wrote to Sarah Felton. 
Secesh arrested. Whiskey emptied out on the streets. Third Bat- 
talion arrived. Found new quarters in a house out by the seminary. 



FEBRUARY, 1862. 

1st. Mr. Hutchinson, our nearest neighbor, called and gave 
us some potatoes and biscuit. Had a good visit with him. 

Feb. 2nd. Sunday. Read during the day in "Female Life 
Among the Indians." In the evening attended Disciples Church 
with Brownell. 

3rd. Went down town and drew rations. Neighbors sent in 
some nuts and pickled beets. 

4th. In the evening called at Mr. Courtell's. Treated us with 
cream and peaches, pie and nuts — seemed very hospitable. 

5th, Went to town and commenced duty again. Seemed dull 
staying about town all day having little to do. Got clothes. Wrote 
Will Hudson. 

6th. On duty again. Played chess with Adams. He beat me 
four games to my two. 

7th. Friday. Went and saw Delos and Charlie. Wrote to 
Fannie. 

8th. One day behind hand. Hardly realize that time passes 
so swiftly. Up town nearly all day on duty. 

9th. Sunday. Went out and heard Chaplain Hawkins upon 
"Following Christ." Went to Mr. Campbell's to dinner — a good 
one. Stayed for some time, had hickory nuts. 

10th. On duty up town again. Played chess with Bugler 
Adams. Called at Mr. Crockett's. Not at home. Played a game 
of pool. 



February, 1862 7 

11th. Commenced to make my quarters at Quartermaster 
Thayer's. Wrote a line home and sent it in Charlie's to sister. 

12th. Read some in "Lessons in Life." Spent the evening at 
Mr. Campbell's. 

13th. Wrote to Fannie and received a letter from her — 
dear girl ! 

14th. Very busy making out requisitions and settling the 
wood account. 

15th. Squared up with Farmer and Thayer. First Battalion 
of our regiment moved for Fort Leavenworth at ten A. M. Roads 
very slippery. Passed through Leavenworth City after crossing on 
the ice. 

17th, Sunday. At Fort Leavenworth. Read the papers and 
wrote home. Saw the regulars on parade. Very exact and nicely 
dressed. Very strict officers — too exact and overbearing. Major 
Prince made Reeve Spencer stand on the porch and me take off 
my cap. 

18th. Drew requisitions for wood and attended to delivery. 
Had quite a cold. 

19th. Commenced letter to Fannie, Cold better. 

20th. Received letter from Fannie and finished letter fio her. 
Wrote requisitions to balance wood drawn. Were mounted and 
started from Fort Leavenworth at ten A. M. Traveled about twenty 
miles over the rolling prairies, and encamped in a piece of woods 
on an Indian farm. Country finely settled. Indians upon the 
woodland. Saw a prairie wolf. 

Feb. 21st. Continued our journey and reached Kansas City 
a little after noon. Arrested two men pretending to be secession- 
ists — drunk. Encamped out on snow and ice a little distance from 
town. Major heard of a gang of jay-hawkers and secessionists at 
Independence under Parker and Quantrell. He detailed 150 men 
to go after them under Lieutenant Nettleton. Brownell and I got 
leave to go too. Was up nearly all night issuing cartridges and pre- 
paring to go. 

Feb. 22nd. Started at 2 A. M. Went to and surrounded In- 
dependence. After search found none, so started to return 
at seven A. M. Stopped a little distance out of town, down a hill, 
and got feed for our horses. Ordered to be ready to go on at ten 
A. M. All ready at the time. Three or four fellows up town, 
fired upon, bring the report that rebel troops are in town. Forth- 
with all the companies, all ready, start at full gallop. Company 
L leading. The enemy after one volley, wheel and run down into 
the gully east, our troops following closely, and firing as they go. At 
the forks in the road they scatter, some going straight forward 
and some getting into lots behind buildings and stumps and then 
firing. The boys charged upon them, killing two and taking five 
prisoners. Brownell was shot. After passing him to see if there 
was a chance to shoot and finding none, I returned to him. Helped 
him up hill to barber shop. Citizens assisted zealously. Three 



8 War Diary 

wounded. Stayed by them until ready to return. In the meantime 
Nettleton and the command went up the road in search of the reb- 
els. Found none. One of our men killed. Co. L. Saw two rebels 
dead — awful sight — all over dirt and such an expression upon their 
countenances. Reached camp at Kansas City at 4 P. M, All pleased 
with the expedition. Issued rations. 

23rd. Sunday. Felt half sick all day, sore throat,, hard cough. 
Lay still and did nothing all day. 

25th. On duty around in the wet. 

26th. Went down and saw Brownell and the other wounded 
boys. All getting along well. Guarded against Quantrell. The 
boys, about two hundred, saddled and went out to meet the wagons. 
Met them and escorted them in. Quantrell captured two horses. 
Another night alarm. 

28th. Moved to Independence. Quartered in the Academy, 
a very pretty building. Met several acquaintances formed at the 
fight the other day — a good time — a beautiful town. 

MARCH, 1862. 

1st. Up town all day. Issued rations. Body guard went 
out on expedition for Quantrell. Failed. Orders to return to Kan- 
sas City. "General" (Colonel Doubleday) and Co. L returned. Co. 
H came with orders. 

2nd. Returned to Kansas City. 

3rd. Commenced a letter to Theodore but did not finish. 
Bathed all over and changed my clothes. Got my washing done 
and some baking. 

Monday, March 4th. Procured rations for seven days pre- 
paratory to our trip to Fort Scott. First Battalion and "General" 
moved. Got some chickens baked by a woman who was a mes- 
senger in the Lexington fight, and who was a prisoner one week. 
Heard some little girls sing. Had a turkey baked by some Union 
ladies who were afraid we might be poisoned by the secesh. God 
bless these friends ! Gave a lady some cofi'ee and sugar. 

5th. Packed and struck tents. Received a letter from home. 
Ready to march at 9 A. M. Called for the turkey and received the 
blessing of the good ladies. Had a very pleasant ride of fifteen 
miles toward Fort Scott, until we overtook the First Battalion. 
Trip delightful and novel. The scenes were truly grand as we 
crossed the rolling prairies and looked over them from some ele- 
vated spot — here and there oases, wood-covered and watered by 
pure clear streams. It made the trip restful and refreshing. I 
enjoyed it and walked some, leading my horse. 

Wednesday, 6th. The three battalions of the Second Cavalry 
marched thirty miles to Harrisonville, the county seat of Cass 
County, once a thrifty town, almost entirely deserted. Day bluster- 
ing and chilly. A march makes pretty busy times distributing 
rations, getting forage for so many horses. Letter from Fannie. 
Encamped by the side of a little stream. 



March, 1862 9 

7th. Passed through the village and again struck the prairie. 
Pleasant day, enjoyed the ride very much indeed. Rode by the side 
of Lieutenant Nettleton, enjoyed visiting with him much. 

8th. Struck tents and were ready to march at 7 A. M. En- 
joyed a ride of thirty miles to Butler, the burnt and deserted county 
seat of Butler County, once a thriving town, now but a few poor 
houses remaining. 

9th. Left Butler at 8 A. M. Major Wilson of our regi- 
ment marched the rest of the distance to Fort Scott, under 
arrest by order of the General for drunkenness. Rode by the side 
of Nettleton. Crossed one of the branches of the Osage, Marais des 
Cygnes, very swift. Great time crossing with the mules led by 
ropes — one team rolled down the bank. Encamped by a little 
stream on the prairie. Found considerable muddy road during the 
day along the river bottom. 

10th. Finished our march to Fort Scott. Strong wind in 
our faces — great dust to trouble us. Had colic most all way. Thun- 
derstorm during the night. Encamped near the Ninth Wisconsin 
a little beyond the village. 

Sunday, 11th. Issued rations. Wrote a letter to Theodore 
and read some. Commenced a letter to Fannie. Helped bring 
wood. 

12th. Finished letter to Fannie after work done. Then took 
mail to post-ofRce and helped get supper. Mail leaves Mondays, 
Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

13th. Saw the boys jay-hawking from countryman who had 
apples, chickens, eggs, etc. They stole half he had. Read a chapter 
in Beecher's "Letters to Young Men." 

14th. Mail came. Letters from Fannie and home for me. 
Numerous papers came, Independent and Lorain Neivs. Girls at 
Amherst. 

March 15th. Wrote to Sarah Felton and was on duty at the 
commissary. 

16th. Sunday. Helped clean up in and about the quarters of 
Co. "H." Heard the Chaplain preach from "Whatsoever a man 
soweth that shall he reap." Used strong language against the 
drunkenness and profanity of officers especially, and of the men. 
Spoke of the increase of immorality — sad, but true. 

17th. Wrote home. Helped weigh out beef. 

18th. Ruled the blank abstract provision return book — nine- 
teen pages. Wrote to Ella Clark. 

19th. Detailed to take charge of twenty men to chop and draw 
wood for Second Battalion. Went out about two miles west by 
the creek. Sawed, chopped and helped load eleven or twelve loads. 
Had a good detail and first-rate time. 

20th. Found the books in use, so busied myself in writing to 
Fannie Henderson. 

21st, Went out with a detail of twenty privates and two ser- 
geants to cut wood for the regiment. Had twelve mule teams. 
Drew twenty-two loads. Saw a long overland train bound for 



10 War Diary 

Humboldt with crackers. Another train coming loaded with nine 
yoke of oxen. One wagon had 17 yokes stuck fast in the mire of 
the creek. California Overland Route. 

22nd. A report circulated that we are to be among the regi- 
ments disbanded. Hope not true — prefer to see the thing through 
without re-enlisting. After all would like a short furlough. Dealt 
out the bacon. Got a good piece of beef for myself. Heard the 
wolves howl during the night. 

23rd. Read the papers received in the morning and wrote 
home. No preaching. 

24th. New recruits came, so I moved over to the Major's 
quarters. Played chess with Nettleton. 

25th. Commenced reading Scott's "Ivanhoe." Delighted with 
its principal characters, Rowena and Ivanhoe. 

26th. Played several games of chess and read. Helped in 
the Q. M. department. 

27th. News came that the staff would be paid off. All went 
to the Fort to sign pay-rolls. Returned to dinner. Rode the 
Major's horse. Saw a tame buffalo. Quite a curiosity. Sergeants 
receive only $17 per month — a joke on their extra stripes. 

28th. No letters for poor me. Read the latest papers. Rode 
over with Nettleton for the mail. The boys set the prairie on fire 
in several places, making one of the grandest sights I ever saw. 
Slept last night out of doors on the ground with Nettleton. 

March 29th. Had a good bath in the creek, and washed my 
clothes — new experience. Very warm and sultry. 

30th. Sunday. Brigade review, Second Ohio Cavalry. Ninth 
Wisconsin Infantry and Rabb's Battery practiced with guns. 
Helped foot up officers account with Q. M. Received and answered 
a good letter from Fannie. 

31st. In the morning read in "Ivanhoe." Learned to play 
whist, pleasant game, but unprofitable as all cards are — will not 
allow myself to play. Rainy and cool. 

APRIL, 1862. 

1st. The "Long Roll" was sounded at the Ninth Wisconsin 
headquarters for an April Fool. Another dark rainy day. Read 
"Ivanhoe" and issued rations. 

2nd. Messenger came in and reported Indians coming north. 
A scouting party was sent out. 

3rd. Camp moved to better ground for defense. 

4th. Moved camp again. Nothing of importance occurred. 
Many rumors afloat. Scouting parties still being sent out. 

6th. Sunday. Heard the minister make a few remarks from 
"Be ye not overcome of evil." Letters from home and Fannie 
Andrews both. 

7th. After work was done went to the river and washed. 
Had a good visit with Ed June. 



April, 1862 11 

9th, Went out with a detail of woodchoppers. Had a good 
time. Boys caught a rabbit and cooked it — all ate a morsel. Went 
and saw squad of Indians — savage looking enough. 

10th. Thursday. The First Battalion of the Second Cavalry 
(four companies) left at ten A. M. for Carthage, Mo. Issued to 
them ten days' rations. Reported that we shall leave in a few days 
for some point forty or fifty miles east. 

11th. Day chilly with slow rain falling. In the evening 
Oakie McDowell and I kept a light in the commissary. Commenced 
a letter to Fannie. Came near being reported for having light. 
Captain Seward is under arrest ! 

13th. Sunday. In the morning cleared up to my disgust. 
In the afternoon had my horse shod and visited hospital, very neat 
and clean. There seems to be so much need of female nurses. Went 
down and saw Indians (Delawares and Osages) in their savage 
state — had heavy beads and rings in their ears — wore buckskin 
leggings and red blankets, faces all painted and marked. Good 
visit with A. B. N. 

14th. Issued one day's rations in the morning and again in 
the afternoon three days' rations. Orders countermanded before 
taps in the evening. 

15th. Morning passed as usual at work. Major's horse sick. 
Evening new orders to march with ten days' rations. Played chess 
with A. B. Regiment paid off for two months. 

16th. Morning rainy. Issued ten days' rations. Major said 
that the boys of the non-commissioned staff could not go on ex- 
pedition for lack of transportation. We were already packed up, 
tent down for the march. Finally to our joy another team came 
and we loaded, saddled and started. The sky cleared and the 
ground was nice for marching. After marching 6 or 7 miles we halt- 
ed for the horses to graze. The grass has started considerably. 
Encamped on the Drywood Creek, east branch, at sundown. Bag- 
gage train being mired on the road, the men bivouacked without 
tents, without suppers, the distant thunder threatening rain. Our 
team came, no rain. 

April 17th. Train came up about nine. Commenced to rain. 
Pitched tents and remained there during the day. Played chess 
some. 

18th. Marched to Lamar, Mo. Met Major Miner's command 
from Carthage. Creek at Lamar was high, so we left the baggage 
and a detail to guard it, and went up the creek to a bridge. Found 
the town, county seat of Barton County, almost deserted. Only a 
few dwellings. 

19th. Went down to the creek and practiced a while with our 
revolvers. Played chess in the evening. 

20th. Sunday. Moved the camp over the creek. Heard the 
stories, pitiful indeed, of Union refugees driven from home by the 
jayhawkers. Wrote home. 



12 War Diary 

21st. A rainy day. Felt most sick, feverish, took a blue pill. 
Did not do much during the day. 

22nd. General Doubleday and bodyguard and a few oflficers 
came. In the evening a man came in saying Union man was shot 
by jayhawkers. Thirty men of Co. "D", Major, Adjutant, Assis- 
tant Surgeon and I, with three or four others started at noon for 
Horse Creek, twenty miles away. Took a backwoods road. Found 
no enemy. Orders from the General to burn the house. Major 
gave the wife and two daughters at home time to take out their 
valuables. Wife was sick. Declared her husband's innocence. Fin- 
ally concluded for the women's sake not to burn the house. The 
scene of the women crying and the desolation the boys were spread- 
ing about the premises was painful. 'Two men from Price's rebel 
army came up and were taken prisoners. Their horses and arms 
were taken and they were told to leave. When not more than three 
rods off, the boys, instigated by Major Purington, commenced shoot- 
ing at them. They ran. Boys mounted and gave chase, shooting. 
Lieutenant Pike probably fired the fatal shot. One of the fellows 
not killed, was brought into the house. I Two daughters — one mar- 
ried. Feared her husband was killed. At 8 P. M. we started back. 
Arrived in camp at 3:30 A. M. Wednesday morning. 

23rd. Slept until ten o'clock. Commenced letter to Fannie. 
Brooks went out and got a load of hams and bacon. 

24th. In the morning early. Companies "A" and "G" came in 
with Major Burnett and staff. At noon fifty men from each of the 
four companies of Burnett's battalion left camp, marched twenty 
miles. Our ride was through a rich country, over Gen. Siegel's 
first battle field. Many pretty flowers. Passed a little deserted 
village. Encamped by a clear stream and occupied some vacant 
houses. After supper made our bed out of doors and had a good 
night's rest. 

25th. Started south for Diamond Grove. Detachments kept 
leaving when we approached the grove, so as to surround and 
enter it from different directions. Nettleton and we of the non- 
commissioned staff took one course and scouted through the woods. 
None found any rebels. Went to the farm of a Mr. Holsell, a no- 
torious rebel. Boys took everything takable from the house and 
premises. Abundance of apples and some ammunition. Encamped 
here for the night. One girl, good secesh, has brother in the 
rebel army. 

26th. Sunday. In the morning separated and went by com- 
panies. Nettleton and staff went with Co. "G" to "Turkey Creek," 
stopped at nearly every house. Took what arms, horses and cattle 
we could find. The guides deceived several families making them 
think we were secesh to capture Carthage. All people here are 
rebels, loud in their praises of the rebel soldiery and in their 
imprecations against the Union boys. The girls sang the "Army 
Wagon." Was much amused. Had a good visit with them — "Chal- 
les" by name, said I was the only gentleman in the lot — asked 



May, 1862 13 

my name and said possibly they could some time do me some 
good. Our men brought into camp cattle and horses. Eight pris- 
oners were brought in, including John Dale, State Senator from 
Jasper County. Lots of interesting incidents. 

27th. At 7 A. M. marched to Carthage leaving Co. "G" to 
guard cattle. Arrested some men in town. Our boys occupied 
Court House. We (of the staff) set up in a boot and shoe store 
and boarded at Mr. Hueston's a little out of town — pleasant people. 
Issued rations to the boys. 

28th. People began to come into town for their property. 
Six prisoners were released. Somebody shot at them. I am tired 
of this barbarous way of soldiering. Doubleday returned to Fort 
Scott with body guard. 

29th. Baggage train and remainder of companies came in. 
Letter from Lucy Randall and several papers — rich treat. Wrote 
to Will Hudson. 

30th. Received letters from Fannie and Uncle Albert. An- 
swered Fannie's. Beautiful day. Arrested a suspicious looking 
fellow, acted like a spy. Told of the fight at Neosho and the Indian 
band on Cowskin Prairie. 



MAY, 1862. 

1st. Wrote to Sarah Felton. Nothing of interest occurred. 

2nd. Orders from Curtiss to go somewhere, of course we 
know not where, probably to Cowskin Prairie in extreme south- 
west corner of Missouri, near the border of Indian Territory. Went 
out to a grist mill, two miles, and got some flour. Enjoyed the ride 
very much. Letters from Uncle and L. Randall. 

3rd. Saturday. Ninth Wisconsin, two companies, came in. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Orff. Major Purington under arrest for say- 
ing that he should obey the order of Curtiss. He went to Lamar. 
Sent returns for six days' rations. Played chess with Lt. Nettleton. 

4th. Sunday. In the morning went with Archie to the river, 
saw some very pretty scenery, high bluffs, a cave, and fine foliage. 
Wrote home. 

5th. Went out with Lt. McGowan after bacon. Went 14 
miles. Saw the Challes-Louise. Enjoyed seeing the family again — 
talkative as ever. Took some hams from Mr. Robertson's and some 
others. Went to Mr. Webb's. Got some apples. Had a good time 
all around. Got back to camp at ten P. M. Major cross. 

May 6th. Issued five days' rations, sugar and coffee. Started 
on the march southwest at one o'clock. Companies "L", "M", 
"G", "D" and "A" under Major Purington, and two Dutch com- 
panies under Lt. Col. Orff, Marched eighteen miles to Redding 
Mills. Secesh galvanized. Found plenty of corn and sheaf oats. 
Occupied a house deserted a few minutes before. A store near by. 
Nothing of importance left. News of rebels within twelve miles. 



14 War Diary 

7th. Wednesday. At 2 a. M. prepared for another day's 
march. At 3 were on the way. Reached Sparlan's, a noted secesh, 
at nine A. M. Fed and ate breakfast. Jayhawked his store. They 
said the boys destroyed a great deal of property ruthlessly. Con- 
tinued the march. During the day Orff and Purington had a fuss. 
Orff took his men and our wagons and turned east to Neosho. 
After going a few miles we got trace of a band of jayhawkers. 
Charged after three on horses. Quite a spirited time we had, but 
the men had a long start, getting on a high hill and in the woods. 
Scoured the woods, finding some suspicious characters but with- 
out arms. Kept eight prisoners. Encamped near by in the valley. 
They stole a horse during the night. 

8th. Thursday. Marched on towards Cowskin Prairie. A 
little skirmish on the road. Our course lay mostly among the Ozark 
Hills. A rich country and beautiful scenery. Reminded me of 
Vermont scenes. Enjoyed the ride much. As we struck Cowskin 
Prairie, a little beyond Elk Mill, we saw a band of thirty armed 
and mounted men. When we learned they were rebels, we followed, 
Co. "G" pursuing on their track, and Co. "A" going around a 
piece of timber. They had too much of a start and escaped. Ex- 
citing time. Scouts and spies of the enemy out in every direction. 
The Major said after we had rallied, that our squad, v/ho had gone 
three miles farther than most of them, had been within a mile 
of a camp of 400 men. We were fourteen miles from Marysville 
where Coffee with 1,000 men was reported. We were in the Chero- 
kee nation. Fine country. Enjoyed it well. 

9th. Friday. During the night we expected an attack every 
hour. Pickets fired two or three times. Companies were called out 
into line for a fight early in the morning — at four. Mounted at 
eight and went six or eight miles and fed oats and corn. Traveled 
through a fine valley, hills on both sides. Reached Neosho at dusk. 
Went for corn to a widow's a mile from town. Slept on the porch 
at a hotel. Ate there. Good joke on Lt. Nettleton. The next 
morning when he presented the lady a five dollar bill, she quietly 
doubled it up and gave no change. Hear cannonading east. 

10th. Saturday. Boys broke into P. 0. and a store. Major 
was very angry and arrested Lt. Lockwood there and made three 
boys walk to Carthage. Boys were mad. This morning I was 
sick of service or rather longed to get into some other department. 
Spencer, Archie and I went ahead and got a good dinner at Mr. 
Hammond's — old secesh. Found an old gun, which we carried 
through. Reached Carthage before dusk. Letter and papers from 
home. Learned that the day before, Co. "I" while out foraging met 
a squad of rebel soldiers. One was killed, two wounded and three 
taken prisoners. Next day Sergt. Smith was released on parole to 
get an exchange of three of Jockman's men for them. 

11th. Sunday. Issued rations, slept and read hidevendent. 
Wrote to Fannie Andrews. 



May, 1862 15 

May 12th. Monday. Major Miner arrived at three A. M. 
Major Purington left early to report under arrest at Fort Scott. 
Miner commenced a rigid discipline and introduced a new system. 
Quite an alarm from shooting at an ox. Companies turned out. 

13th. Issued four days' rations. Most all the horses were 
condemned for sore backs. Sent to mill for one day's ration of 
flour. Companies fell out several times from false alarms. I 
accidentally fired a gun while drilling with Reeve and Archie. 

14th. Wednesday. Left Carthage at 8. Most of the boys 
footed it. My horse was well enough but I thought I would fare as 
the rest did. Stopped to graze our horses at ten miles. I was very 
tired. Got my haversack and gave my horse into Tom's care. I 
went to a little bush and ate a lunch in sight of my horse. Soon 
fell asleep and when I awoke, could not find my horse. Baggage 
wagons were going on. One of the boys said he saw the horse go 
ahead. Hurried on to see. Tom rode all about the field and prairie 
vainly. I got a horse and another man and went back and searched 
thoroughly and vainly. Reached Lamar in the evening. 

15th. Thursday. Archie and I cooked a respectable meal. 
Took our ease until five P. M. Then we marched again. Reached 
East Drywood at midnight. Capt. Stanhope and Lt. Rush were 
ahead and were chased by thirty jayhawkers. Column halted. I 
went on with the advance two or three miles, no sign of any men. 

16th. Rain obliged us to arise at five. Stayed under the 
wagon a while. Then went to the creek to wr>sh. Reveille blew 
just before I got back. Lt. Hubbard arrested Brooks and me be- 
cause somebody had wanted us and could not find us. Released 
us as soon as we came into camp. Rode partly on the wagons and 
walked some. Seemed good to get back to Fort Scott again. Found 
two letters from home. 

17th. Saturday. Went up town and saw George Ashman. 
Went to the hotel and got breakfast. Cooked our own meals. Let- 
ter from Fannie Andrews. 

18th. Sunday. Wrote to Fannie. Attended preaching by Mr. 
Hawkins, from Isaiah 1st, 3rd verse, "My people doth not con- 
sider." 

19th. Made arrangements for another horse. Had the one 
lost examined and got an order from the General for another. 
Very pretty bay, well satisfied. 

20th. Tuesday. Nettleton and Stewart went to Leavenworth. 
Rained. 

21st. Wednesday. Archie and I went out and grazed our 
horses. Good time. Saw George Ashman. Bathed. 

22nd. Drew rations. Archie grazed both horses. We washed 
our clothes. 

23rd. Started at 8 A. M. for lola. Marched fifteen miles. Saw 
George. Shaved by Charlie Fairbanks. Encamped out in the open 
air by Turkey Creek. A. B. and I cooked our suppers. Happy time. 
A grand ridge of mounds surrounds us. 



16 War Diary 

24th. Saturday. Reveille at 4 A. M. Breakfasted, loaded 
wagon and horsed at six A, M, Grazed about five miles. Splendid 
prairie view. But one little bunch of woods in sight. Reached lola 
about three o'clock. Good visit with the boys. 

May 25th. Sunday. Wrote home, grazed my horse and rested. 

26th. Helped unload seven loads of provisions. Played ball 
a little while. Reminded me of old times. 

27th. Woods and I issued five days' rations. We boys carried 
ours to the woman where we board. 

28th. Wednesday. Wrote to Fannie in time for the mail. 
Read Will's old journal. 

29th. Thursday. Went to Neosho Falls, nine miles, to see 
the Indians play ball. Gay time and gay dinner. Visited them in 
their camp and home. Saw some slaves among them. Was dis- 
gusted with their primeval customs. Saw Seminoles and Dela- 
wares. About 7,000 encamped along the river. 

30th. Friday. I wrote a letter to Ella Clark, in answer to 
one received weeks before. I am ashamed of my negligence or 
inability to write more. Showed the letter to the Oberlin boys. 

31st. Saturday. Wrote a short letter to Uncle. Issued seven 
days' rations. The Major bought a mess box, $18, a splendid one. 
Received a letter from home. 



JUNE, 1862. 

1st. Wrote a line home. Marched south at 7. Went forward 
with Colonel Salomon and Adj. Ninth Wisconsin to find camping 
ground. Indian trading post. Several Indian graves. Cold day, 
drizzly rain. Enjoyed the trip well. 25 miles, Humboldt. 

2nd. Passed a Catholic Mission for Indians. Very good con- 
veniences. Many children. Three or four buildings. Stopped 
often to graze. Passed through a good country. Good oak and 
hickory timber. Passed an Indian village — Osages. Encamped 
upon a good plat of grass along the Neosho. After supper went 
to the river and bathed. Received invoice of provisions from "Buck- 
shot." 

3rd. Arose at 4 A. M. First Battalion off at 5 to join Double- 
day, 35 miles. Loaded provisions from citizens to mule teams. 
Infantry, as usual got the start, artillery next. Had a pleasant 
march. Long time crossing the Lightning Creek. Narrow roads 
for the wagons through the woods. Grazed often. Encamped with 
Ninth Wisconsin on the banks of Cherry Creek. Artillery crossed 
and camped. Issued beef. Rained in the afternoon. Slept out in 
the open air. Several officers and men tight. McMurray. 

4th. Wednesday. Reveille at 3:30 A. M. Breakfast and un- 
der way at 6 A. M. After riding ten miles, troops rested. Lieuten- 
ant Lisering of Doubleday's staff met us with the news that Col. 
Salomon had been made brigadier and Col. Weir of the Tenth Kan- 
sas had the command of the expedition. All seemed astonished. Lt. 



June, 1862 17 

Colonel said, "the news rather surprised him." Considerable sen- 
sation. Crossed the Neosho and encamped near the rest of the 
troops. A very pretty situation for a camp. A range of hills, 
overlooking large valley and woods. 

June 5th. Learned and ordered the number of pounds of beef 
needed, also issued it. Issued rations for the five days' expedi- 
tion under Doubleday. Took us till "taps." Orders came from 
Col. Wier, Tenth Kansas, to delay further movements. The Colonel 
(Doubleday) resolves to resign immediately, so enraged at the in- 
trigue and rascality of Kansas officers and politicians in making 
Wier rank him. Officers sent a paper to him begging him not to 
do it. Seemed to regret the idea very much. Concluded to go on 
with the expedition anyway. 

6th. Eight companies of the Second Ohio, Majors Miner and 
Burnett, four Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, three Tenth Infantry 
Kansas, one Sixth Kansas Cavalry were on the march at 8 A. M. 
Major P. was going independently. He had refused me several 
times, but after all the troops were gone, he consented. Left in a 
hurry with little provisions. Crossed Spring River and the Neo- 
sho. After marching fast 35 miles, came upon the camps of Stand- 
waite and Coffee. Major P. conversed with pickets. Shelled the 
position of Standwaite, but probably too late, having escaped with 
Coffee south to Col. Rains. The shelling was splendid. The shells 
would bound from tree to tree and burst with a thundering noise. 
First Battalion took position between the two camps, if possible to 
prevent a junction of forces. Also went out as skirmishers. Third 
Battalion deployed along the woods to prevent escape and watch 
the movements of the enemy. The Battery took a position on the 
hill favorable for shelling the enemy. Was supported by the Kan- 
sas Infantry. Ninth Wisconsin deployed as skirmishers and en- 
tered the woods. Scouts went near Coffee's camp and represented 
them leaving. "General" (Col. Doubleday) immediately marched to 
the south of the camp and ceased operations for the night. It was 
now 1 o'clock A. M. Bivouacked with few blankets in the open air. 
Slept soundly till 3 A. M. I enjoyed all the doings very much, acted 
as carrier for the "General." Accompanied Major Purington. Saw 
large herds of horses and cattle. Took many prisoners. Some Cof- 
fee's men and some not. 

7th. In saddle at 4 A. M. Went into the timber for breakfast. 
Ate with Co. "E." Good appetite, having eaten nothing of conse- 
quence since the morning before. Reconnoitering party was sent 
south to learn the position and force of the enemy supposed to be 
encamped 15 miles south. The command encamped in favorable 
positions in and near Round Grove, the former camp of Col. Coffee. 
The women in the grove reported that he moved at sundown. One 
sick man of Coffee's left behind, reported that he had 600 and 
Standwaite 1,000. Raines' unknown. Variously estimated from 
500 to 2000. At night the First Battalion went out on picket. Some 
Co. H men fired on our patrol. Slept with Delos in No. 3. 



18 War Diary 

8th. Sunday. Started on our return at 8 o'clock, with drove 
of cattle and horses. Major and Purps went ahead, and a few miles 
from the road, to a deserted camp and got a secesh wagon, old style, 
hitched in four horses and had a gay time. Lead horses whirled 
after a time and broke the tongue, fixed it and with two horses 
drove through the camp. Horses balked several times, once in the 
river. Hadley and I undressed and helped across. Command 
stopped at Hudson's. Jayhawked the people badly. ("Purps" — 
nickname for noncommissioned staff.) 

9th. Monday. Did very little save rest and graze my horse. 
Letters from Fannie, home and Sarah. 

June 10th. Tuesday. Great false alarm in camp. Major 
with Co. "I" went out seven miles. We saw nothing. 

11th. Moved camp nearer the river on the edge of the woods 
on account of water. Issued rations to eight companies. Rather 
tired at night. Went fishing after supper with Major and Brow- 
nell. Caught no fish, pleasant time. 

12th. Another false alarm. Whole brigade in arms. Scouted 
about some. Nothing unusual. Grazed my horse. 

13th. Issued rations in the morning. Moved camp over the 
river west. Pitched our tent in a splendid grove in a secesh corn 
field. Found some mulberries. 

14th. Wrote a letter home. Mail came bringing home letters 
and IndepeiLclent. Issued rations to four companies, to go the next 
morning on expedition five days. Moved the Second Battalion again 
half a mile. After work had a gay time finding our tent. Wan- 
dered all through the woods, 

15th. Sunday. A beautiful Sabbath morning. Would love 
to be at home or somewhere to enjoy peaceful rest. Read the Inde- 
pendent. Wrote to Emma McWade. 

16th. Monday. Issued rations to several companies. Stayed 
at the Commissary most of the day. 

17th. Wrote to Brockway. Part of the Missouri expedition 
returned with a load of bacon. Tired horses and men. Issued 
some. 

18th. Wednesday. Grazed my horse. Did little more. Read 
some. Paymaster came from Leavenworth. 

19th. Thursday. Went to the Commissary as usual at 9 A, M. 
Archie got thrown from his horse. Wrote to Fannie. Went bath- 
ing with Nettleton and Brownell. Talked Minnie and Professor. 
Two letters. Home and Fannie, 

20th. Friday. Attended to my usual duties. Read papers. 

21st. Saturday. Wrote home. Major Purington and Adju- 
tant acted ridiculously in the evening. Out almost all night on a 
spree. 

22nd. Sunday. Major Purington started at 5 for Ohio on 
30 days furlough. Carried lots of money for the boys. We boys 
sent to Wilson Dodge, former Q, M., to get the Major a ring worth 
$10. Got our pay. Commissary and Q, M. received alike this time. 



July, 1862 19 

Issued some rations and drew enough from Brigade Com'y for ten 
days. 

23rd. Monday, According to orders started for Neosho at 
6 A. M. Up early and flew around to get chores done. Our road 
lay mostly through the woods. After 8 miles ride, mail came. A 
letter from good Fannie. Met Co. '*A" and "D" from Sherwood, 
three miles north of Neosho. Met some Kansas Sixth who had 
fallen in with a band of 400 rebels on the road to Granby. Council 
of War — Burnett wanting to go on with 200 men — Ratcliff not 
thinking it best. Bivouacked for the night in open air. 

24th. Tuesday. Arose before sunrise 3:45 A. M. Took the 
horses out to graze. Archie and I went with horses to an oat field 
up on a hill beyond the pickets. Good feed for the horses. De- 
tachment went ahead to Neosho at 7 A, M. Entered N. and en- 
camped a little after noon on the ground where the militia was 
surprised. An alarm in the night. False. 

June 25th. Issued the remainder of the ten days' rations 
taken along. Received a letter from home. 

26th. Turned over some commissary stores to the 4th and 
9th Wisconsin, who came in that evening. Wrote to Fannie. An- 
other false alarm. Citizens expected an attack. 

27th. Friday. Was busy as usual. Battery came. Issued 
rations to them. 

28th. Saturday. Got my horse shod. A good many ladies 
in camp. Straightened the provision returns and wrote letter to 
Fannie, and sent them by Corp. I., Co. M. Didn't get to bed till 
12 P. M. 

29th. Sunday. Started from camp at 5 A. M. Marched by 
long road from Neosho towards Cowskin. Encamped on a high 
piece of ground, over an excellent spring of water. 

30th. Monday. Arose at 2 :30. Marched at 4 A. M. Reached 
Cowskin at noon, and Rains' camp at 3 P. M., which he had deserted 
the day before. Found the Indians before us encamped near by. 
Four companies, Ninth Ratab's Battery and Second and Third Bat- 
talion came from Neosho. Nothing particular by the way. Noticed 
some places well remembered when Major Purington was down. 
Mustered for pay. Pitched tent loosely for the Major and Adjutant 
and made our beds outside. Thunderstorm camp up, tent blew over 
and such a time I never had before. Soaking wet all of us, but 
nearly the whole force fared the same way. 



JULY, 1862. 

1st. Reveille at three A. M. Started at 4 A. M. Moved 8 miles 
to where the command from the other way was, at Round Grove, 
where Coffee had camped. Indians in their natural state encamped 
there too. Laughable sight. Pleasant day. Cooler and grass good. 
Saw the Oberlin boys. Letter from Fannie. Rested. Wrote in 
the evening. 



20 War Diary 

2nd. Wednesday. In our saddles at 5 A. M. Marched 8 miles 
west, near where the Major and we boys captured the wagon. 
Nothing special occurred. 

3rd. Thursday. In saddles at three A. M. Rode 18 miles. 
Encamped on Grand River. 

4th. Great day. So many drunk. Officers gave the freest 
license to the men. Both caroused. I was most disgusted. Bill 
and L. fought. 

5th. Issued rations to two battalions. The reaction of the 
4th was visible among the boys. Slept on the prairie by my horse. 

6th. Sunday. Overslept and wakened at "forward." Hur- 
ried along. Rode a little obstinate pony. Passed the other brigade 
and encamped at two miles distant. Saw some Confederate papers, 
very neat. Warmest day of the season. Bathed in Grand River. 
Wrote a little, read two or three chapters in Philippians. I wish it 
were easier to be good, or rather I wish I were a better boy and 
doing some good. 

July 7th. On the march at 4 A. M. We boys did not know we 
were to march, so awakened merely in time to hurry off without 
breakfast. Marched 8 miles and encamped on the prairie near the 
woods. Archie and I took our horses to a corn field. Read a chap- 
ter in Bushnell's "Respectable Sin," very applicable to myself. 
Veal noodle soup for supper. Hot day, no covering at night. 

8th. Reveille a little before two. Got coffee and meat for 
breakfast. Started on the march, in the rear, at daybreak. Like 
Capt. Smith some better but I long for Major Purington to come 
back again. Second Brigade in the rear of the first ones. Issued 
rations. 

9th. Marched all the forenoon, and went only five miles for- 
ward. So many blunders. Encamped on Grand River near it on 
the edge of the woods, good place. 

10th. Grazed our horses and rested. Wrote some. 

In a letter dated Camp Flat Rock, Ind. Ter., July 11, 1862, he 
says: 

"The Fourth of July was duly celebrated at Cabin Creek Camp. 

We did no marching, and perfect license was given to all to drink and 
carouse as much as they chose. 

One officer even told his men that the one who wasn't drunk that night 
should be ducked in Grand river. 

When the 1st Brigade had their fight near here, Col. Weir, our comman- 
der, was so intoxicated that he could neither receive the report of the battle 
or give any orders. 

One reason everybody liked Col. Doubleday so well was, that he never 
drank 

It seems good to get settled down again. While marching, the middle of 
the day was so very hot, that we commenced marching at three o'clock in the 
morning, so we had to get up very early to have breakfast out of the way 
and get ready. 

The greatest trouble so far has been the scai'city of water. 

Had we come down the other side of the river — people say — there would 
have been an abundance of water. But water has been very scarce — and mostly 
stale creek water for which we would have to go quite a distance. 



July, 1862 21 

One Q. M. Sergeant was j-educed to the ranks day before yesterday for 
going to a spring almost in our line of march. 

I feared there would be a mutiny that day, so many boys hadn't water and 
weren't permitted to leave the ranks to get any. Hereafter any member of 
the cavalry losing a horse, save in battle, must go afoot, by order of Col. Wier. 

Well, Charlie seems to have had his fill of grass, so I must go back to 
camp. I have been sitting here on my blanket while he has been grazing. We 
have to go quite a distance from camp for good grass. . . You don't know 
what melting weather we have had. 

The thermometer has been as high as one hundred and twelve in the 
shade I believe. 

Several men have been sunstruck. There has been no rain of consequence 
for about two months." 

11th. Major Purington returned to us. Had been only to 
Fort Leavenworth. Could not get beyond the department. Came 
at breakfast time. I had been out on prairie grazing. Found him 
here with a tent full of officers. Jolly time. We were so glad to 
see him, so were all. I believe he has more friends than any man 
in the regiment. 

12th. Saturday. Wrote a letter to Uncle and Aunt Branch. 
My horse got away suddenly and I did not find him until morning. 

13th. Awoke early and found my horse. Took him out to 
graze. Issued rations to the whole command. Tired at night. 
Slept out with the pickets, with Charlie Fairchild. 

14th. Monday. Read in "Guy Mannering." Rained very 
heavily most all day. Thunder. Got wet in tent. An alarm. Large 
detachment sent out. 1st and 2nd Battalions went, Archie and 
Thayer too. Major was angry that they went. Major, field officer 
of the day. 

15th. Stayed in camp and read ''Guy Mannering," good story. 
Pastured my horse and Brownell's. 

16th. Wednesday. Boys returned from Fort Gibson, no en- 
emy there. Enemy four miles below on the south side of the Ar- 
kansas, at Fort Davis. Expecting artillery. Boys rested. 

17th. Played a little chess. Wrote to Aunt Luna. Slept on 
the prairie. All the horses of the regiment were out. 

18th. Ordered to commence on half rations. Visited Capt. 
Nettleton. Sick since going to Fort Gibson, weak. At 11 P. M. 
orders came to march at 2 A. M. Second Battalion in advance. 
Colonel Wier under arrest and a prisoner, Colonel Salomon com- 
manding. 

19th. Kept up after eleven and packed up. The circumstances 
of the trouble with Wier are these: On account of drunkenness 
and his seeming determination to starve us out, Col. S., all the 
officers in his brigade and most of the others approving, concluded 
to arrest him; sent the adjutant with a detail of 100 men who or- 
dered him under arrest. He refused the order. The detail pre- 
sented bayonets and took him prisoner. Took him to Col. S.'s tent, 
where were officers representing most of the regiments. When he 
saw Capt. Allen of the Battery, he said, "And are you here?" and 
burst into tears. I never saw so much excitement. All were glad. 
Before this Col. S. had determined if rations did not come by Mon- 



22 War Diary 

day to march his brigade north. Left the Indians there, marched 
39 miles to our old second camp, slept on the prairie as usual, Net- 
tleton came along slowly during the day. Officers began to be 
frightened after 4 or 5 hours, and ordered an ambulance to go 
back for him. Just then he came up. 

20th. Reveille at 2 A. M. Marched at 4 A. M. Left Co. "A" 
to keep up communications. Encamped after 12 miles march. Ma- 
jor Burnett left with an escort for Leavenworth with orders and 
papers about Wier's arrest. 

21st. Rested and wrote some. 

22nd. Read in "Guy Mannering." Issued rations for eleven 
days. Horses got away. Looked all over the country until the 
next day at 4 P. m., when we marched. 

23rd. Visited the rich mansion of Louis Ross, brother of 
John. Splendid place. The destruction seemed terrible. Owned 
160 slaves. Good piano. Marched 12 miles and camped at 11. 

24th. Marched at 3 A. M. Reveille at 2 A. M. Marched 12 
miles. Encamped. 

25th. Started at 4 A. M. Marched 7 miles beyond Hudson's 
Crossing. Met the third battalion. 

26th. Wrote a letter to Fannie. Played chess with Sergeant 
Spencer. 

27th. Sunday. Wrote home and read some in "Nathalie," by 
Julia Kavanagh. Very good story. 

28th. Mail came. Letter from home. Rather discouraging 
news. Adjutant Weeks slept with the Major. Such a time talking 
and carrying on. 

29th. Wrote to Uncle Albert Harris. 

30th. Wednesday. In camp on Rocky Creek, Spring River. 
Issued five days' rations, preparatory to marching northward. Boys 
in good spirits. Wrote to Fred Allen. Saw Charlie in the morn- 
ing. Read Will's last journal, much better than his late ones. His 
discouragement about the late reverses. To be sure the present 
hour looks dark but I have faith in the future. The light will soon 
break. I have faith to believe that the North will yet be victorious 
over the South, right be victorious over wrong. I am sorry Will 
feels so. It looks like an apology for not enlisting. To fear defeat 
and yet not raise a hand looks faulty. 

July 31st. Thursday. Finished a letter to Fred Allen. The 
Court Martial meetings still continue, Major Purington presiding. 
The officers are beginning to be more strict and exacting. The 
discipline cannot but be improved. Went to the river and bathed. 
Washed a pair of pants and handkerchief and towel. Went up on 
a high bluff of rocks, a more romantic place than I had seen for a 
long time. It reminded me much of Old Vermont, or Canada side 
of Niagara. Marched at three P. M. Reached Baxter's Springs 
at sundown. Major Miner, Capt. Stanhope and Adj. Weeks ate 
supper with us, had tomatoes and pineapples for dessert. 



August, 1862 23 



AUGUST, 1862. 

1st. Friday. In camp on Cow Creek, 40 miles south of Fort 
Scott. Two men were killed here by Standwaite some time ago. Poor 
water. The big twenty-five miles prairie just beyond. Rode with 
the Sergeant Major. Fooled with him considerably. Good time. 
Capt. Smith played fool, infringing on the Second Battalion, Major 
Purington gave him a blowing. The mail came this evening. Let- 
ters from Fannie and home. They did me good. I long for the 
furlough time to come. Barnitz received a commission as Second 
Lieutenant. Pleased all. Wrote a short letter to Fannie. Puring- 
ton thinks of going on tomorrow. 

2nd. Saturday. In camp on Drywood, sixteen miles from 
Fort Scott. Marched today 22 miles over a barren prairie. Rested 
for two or three hours in the heat of the day. Mail came in the 
evening. Received another letter from Fannie. It seemed so good 
to hear from her two days in succession. Got to fooling with 
Reeve in the tent along in the evening, and we concluded to take 
a turn outdoors. We first took hold squarehold. After a long time 
I brought Reeve to the ground but he whirled me. Boys said I 
threw. Then he dared me to sidehold. Major and boys watched 
me. I threw him in a trice. I wouldn't try again for I know his 
superiority in strength and skill. 

3rd. Sunday. Started again at 4 A. M. Marched 14 miles 
in sight of Fort Scott. Then turned back two miles on account of 
the scarcity of water. Encamped along a little vale where were 
little puddles of water. Got into camp a little after noon. Slept 
some. Got wood for a fire. Helped eat some oysters and sardines. 
Supper at 5 P. M. Mail came bringing a letter from Minnie. Wrote 
home. Sent a letter to Fannie. Saw some new acts relating to the 
formation of regiments under the new law. All Batt. staffs to be 
mustered out. One more 2nd Lt. to a company. A good berth for 
some of the staff. Warm day, not much like Sunday. 

4tli. Monday. "General" blew at 7 A. M. Struck tents and 
moved to our first camping ground when we entered Fort Scott 
from Kansas City. I went ahead with Major Miner to lay out 
camp. Q. M. issued clothing. Drew boots and shirt. Helped get 
things ready for supper. In the evening Major P., Major M. and 
Adj. Weeks got news of the fight in the Indian Territory. Stand- 
waite prisoner, another notable killed. 400 proved traitors, having 
come into camp and given up and then turning on our men. 300 
of them killed. Sergt. Major was taken sick suddenly, probably 
sunstruck. Bill drunk and quarrelsome. Adj. Weeks in tent. 

5th. Tuesday. In the morning did little of everything. Wrote 
to Fannies A. and H. in answer to letter received almost three 
months since. In the afternoon the service for the burial of three 
men was performed. Lt. Pike drilled the escort. It seemed his 
whole ambition to get the men well drilled. He had an escort drill- 
ing for one very sick man who had not yet died. Maj. M. and Adj. 



24 War Diary 

W. boarding with us. In the evening attended a variety perform- 
ance up town. Very good for barren Fort Scott. Got home about 
midnight. Received no letters, a little disappointed. Mr. Haw- 
kins returned yesterday. 

Aug. 6th. Wednesday. In the morning there was a great 
scare about Quantrell's band. Reported near Montebello, 40 miles 
east, preparing for a raid against Fort Scott. A report that three 
companies of the 3rd Wisconsin had been captured. At nine "to 
arms" blew and to arms the men went. They seized their old rusted 
carbines, scoured them and were in line for the assembly. They 
were assembled, mounted under Capt. Smith and dismounted under 
Major Purington. 3rd came in unharmed save one killed, several 
wounded and baggage train lost. Rations for five days were issued. 
Went over to town at retreat, got shaved and hair cut by Charlie 
Fairbanks. 

7th. Watered my horse and took a good bath. Had a good 
visit with Newt. Adams about officers of our acquaintance and 
future prospects. Today, as often, I am uneasy for something to 
satisfy a nervous want of something real to do. Can't be easy at 
anything. Commenced reading the "Woman in White," by Wilkie 
Collins. Found the book quite interesting. Could hardly leave it 
for my meals. There seems to be no stopping place. Every para- 
graph, every chapter, every book is full of thrilling adventures, well 
laid plot. Great vigilance against surprise. 

8th. August. Commenced "Woman in White" again. Fairly 
begun when I was ordered off with Capt. Smith to find a camp. 
Selected one up on the hill west of town. Somewhat fortified. 
Moved camp in the forenoon. All tired after moving. Had one 
meal. Continued the story. Our new site for camp overlooks a 
large tract of country. The horses are picketed away from the im- 
mediate vicinity of the camp so that we will be free from the dust, 
and be nearer water for horses. 

9th. Saturday. In the morning had to give up the book which 
I had borrowed from Robinson. Accomplished very little during 
the day. Tried to write Will but could not think fast enough, so 
threw aside paper and ink. Sale of cattle confiscated at the fort. 
Archie attended. Stock mostly bought by Babcock and Company, 
who are getting rich from the government. So are many of Kan- 
sas officers interested in the many contracts made for the troops, 
purposely kept here in Kansas. 9th and Battery arrived. 

10th. Sunday. In the morning received a little treasure 
from Fannie at Richfield. Finished the story of the "Woman in 
White," so well told. Like the style. Inspection at ten A. M. Our 
staff did not go. I went to the creek and bathed. Issued rations 
for five days. Delos came up from town and went with me to see 
Charlie. Had a good visit. Heard Will's journal read. Received 
a good photograph of Will. Glad to get it. Chaplain preached in 
the evening, on the parade. Large numbers out to hear him. Good 
remarks, especially in reference to his visits at home. Enjoyed it. 



August, 1862 25 

11th, Monday. Read some in the June Atlantic. Nothing 
especially interesting. After dinner went down for Charlie and 
visited Delos per engagement. Had a splendid visit, real social 
time. Got some lemon syrup, talked over our old experiences at 
home and with "B. F." In the evening went to town to hear Lane 
and Blunt. Lane did well enough for a border ruffian. Blunt criti- 
cised the course of our officers in arresting Wier. Referred to the 
whole thing as a conspiracy. 1st Brigade did not cheer much till 
Gen. Salomon's name was heard. Then the boys grew wild with 
excitement and cheered heartily for him. Blunt found, I guess, 
that Wier had enemies and Salomon friends. 

12th. Tuesday. In the morning molasses was issued to the 
boys. Wrote a letter home. One boy from Co. G was buried. 
Wrote to Fannie and Uncle. Lt. Carter died. It must be a sad 
affliction for his poor mother who esteemed him her pet. Sergt. 
Daniels was wounded in the thigh by accident. Gen. Blunt held 
a council of all the officers in the division. Squashed the whole 
Wier fuss. I hope Wier won't accept the terms. Many officers talk 
of resigning. Ladies about camp. Arrived yesterday. Mesdames 
Miner, Burnett, Ratliffe, Taylor, 

13th. Wednesday. Did very little in the morning. In the 
afternoon Lt, Carter was buried, Capt, Nettleton rode up to our 
tent and told me he would like to see me a minute, I went aside 
and he said he was going home, I asked him if he were going home 
for good. He said that was about the only way men could get out 
of the department at this time. Finally after deceiving me he told 
me he was going on regiment business. Wrote lines to Fannie and 
home, 

14th. Thursday. Put some stripes on my pants, and gave 
my poor wardrobe a good looking over and repairing. Should not 
like playing old bachelor for life — not any. Like company and so- 
ciety too well. In the afternoon orders came for the 2nd Ohio to 
be ready to march at 8 P. M, with 5 days' rations. Under way at 
nine P, M, 1st Brigade and 6th and 9th Kansas marched from town 
at ten with the 2nd Ohio in the rear. The dismounted men and 9th 
Wisconsin rode in the wagons. Marched all night. I got Major's 
permission and rode in baggage wagon. Most sick with the bloody 
flux. All were ignorant of our destination, but supposed and hoped 
to fight. 

15th. Stopped a little while in the morning to feed the horses. 
Moved on and passed through "Ball Town," Stopped to get some 
breakfast. Received a letter from home. The prairie took fire 
several times and kept the boys busy fighting it. Colonel, Capt, 
Smith, Majors Miner and Purington rested under a tent fly we 
pitched. Marched again at 3 P, M. Passed Pappinsville, All these 
places in Mo, are little stingy trading posts. Over prairies and 
through woods and ravines we went. Sometimes slow, sometimes 
fast. Tired of jolting. Made a bed of the blankets. 2nd Ohio 
mounted and in advance under Major Purington. Stopped about 
2 A. M, and fed horses. Roasted corn. 



26 War Diary 

16th. Saturday. Kept up our march till morning at nine. 
Crossed the Osage. At nine A. M. stopped to feed and breakfast. 
Marched on through Johnstown. All the day the boys made for 
every melon patch, orchard or beehive to be seen. Had a good eat 
from melons and apples. Saw very few people. Encamped at sun- 
down. For the first time had a night's sleep. Very little water. 
Expected somewhat an attack before morning. Ordered to sleep 
on our arms. 1 slept soundly, as I usually do. Johnnie Devlin and 
I devoured a nice large watermelon. Enemy supposed to be six 
miles away. 

17th. Sunday. Breakfasted and under way at 5 A. M. Passed 
through Rose Hill, a very pretty little town. Hugh Watson and 
I went ahead and got apples, watermelons, plums and wild grapes. 
Had a good time. Passed through "Index," another little town. 
Major rode with us in the wagon all day, good time. Reached "Lone 
Jack," where the enemy wTre, at sundown an hour before. A man 
came up and reported 1500 enemy in our rear. Major Purington 
with rear guard, watched them and kept near them. Fired a good 
deal and tried to detain them. Proved to be the enemy retreating 
the way we had come. Major sent word for reinforcements. Some 
went but did not follow fast enough till dark set in. Commenced 
to rain. Command moved. Baggage soon could not go, it was so 
dark. So the enemy escaped us, so slickly through the gap. General 
Salomon had advised and entreated Blunt to keep flankers and 
scouts out through the woods near "Lone Jack." They had intelli- 
gence from Warren that they were surely there, and we were pass- 
ing within a mile. The ground was favorable for their retreat from 
the town — unseen. They kept a large picket about town and 
thus fooled our men. Warren could not believe that they had gone. 
So they left us, as a mouse from a trap. All the officers were 
enraged and disgusted with Blunt's mistake, still hoped to over- 
take them. I went out a mile and got an old mare to ride. The his- 
tory of the fight of the day previous was as follows : The day before, 
Quantrell, with 1200 men burned Independence and then skedad- 
dled ; Capt. Burns from Kansas City, with two companies of cav- 
alry, four of infantry and two pieces of artillery, followed ; at night 
overtook them and shelled their camp. They ran. The next morn- 
ing Quantrell met Coffee and turned back. Lay in the brush and 
waited for them, coming through a lane. When the Feds came 
along they rose up and poured volley after volley into them. They 
hurried back to the village and there fought desperately. Finally 
overpowered, spiked one of the guns, destroyed the ammunition 
and ran. Warren, who had followed Cofi'ee from Butler, watched 
them here that and the next day, till we came up confident that they 
would stand a fight. About 60 killed and many wounded on each 
side. Rebels burned ten of our wounded men in a house used as a 
hospital. 

18th. Monday. After the moon rose, so that the teams could 
pick their way, we started on. Moved back on the same road we 



August, 1862 27 

went up. Col, Cloud and Warren's forces took another route and 
went faster than we. Passed through "Index" and "Rose Hill" and 
stopped after passing the big mill. Awful place for baggage to 
cross. Got a little supper. Hard bread and coffee, then moved on — 
the dismounted men and infantry on foot. The report came in 
that Cloud met the enemy at Johnstown — so Blunt hastened. 
Mules and horses tired out. As we marched boys would fall asleep, 
walk on and frequently tumble down. Major Burnett said he rode 
the whole length of train and every mule driver but two were 
asleep — most in their wagons. Train moved on well. 

19th. Tuesday. Breakfasted at Johnstown. As usual boys 
went for chickens, corn and anything to eat. People have felt our 
march through their country. Report came that the enemy were 
at Osceola, 30 miles southeast. Continued our march Osceola- 
ward. Stopped two or three miles from Johnstown and fed mules 
and ourselves — three hours. Moved on. Report came that Cloud's 
advance was fighting with rear guard of the enemy. One man 
killed on the prairie, just buried. Changed our course tovs^ards 
Stubbleville. Reached that place in the morning, sunrise. In the 
afternoon my horse troubled me so getting away that I got on 
bareback. Got a saddle and rode all night. Very sleepy. Slept 
on my horse. Major Miner fell from his horse, Pat Collopy fell 
twice. It was almost impossible for the rear guard to get the sleep- 
ing ones awake and along. 

20th. Wednesday. Hamlin and Devlin had been missing for 
two days. Hamlin returned. They had been with Cloud's com- 
mand. By permission, Hamlin and Watson went ahead intending to 
overtake Cloud's command, but they had too much the start of us. 
Went up to the house where four Kansas men's wounds had been 
bandaged the day before. Sick men and those unable to stand 
service went to the fort, Warren's command passed. We went 
with the advance guard of our brigade. In the P. M. Mo. men and 
Iowa (Warren) turned back. Reached Montebello about 8 P. M. 
Pedrick, with whom I had been riding, got a supper at an old lady's. 
Paid 50 cents. Moved on two miles to the prairie. Couldn't find 
our wagons. It rained hard and wet us thoroughly. So tired we 
did not feel it much, 

21st. Thursday. Went with two Company F men and got 
breakfast at a farmhouse. Some of the boys had had nothing to 
eat for 36 hours. Ham and corn bread. Borrowed 20 cents and 
paid. They asked nothing but we preferred to pay them. Major 
Burnett, with detail of five started for Fort Scott. Several of us 
contrived to go too. Got breakfast out three miles, milk and honey. 
A man came up. We frightened him so he swore he was secesh 
and made himself ridiculous generally for a union man. Had a 
secesh horse, taking care of it. Brought him in. In the morning 
put a rope around a boy's neck and made him take the oath with 
some meaning. Letters from Minnie, Melissa and Fannie, 

22nd. Friday. Slept rather late. F. Brooks back, looking 
very sleek. Went to the river and washed myself thoroughly. 



28 War Diary 

Changed my clothes and rested as well as possible. The command 
came in. Boys seem hardy, though the trip has been tough. All 
the boys are exasperated that they did not catch the enemy. News 
that Fremont is to have command here, good. We to go home. 
Wrote a middling long letter to Fannie Andrews. Wrote while 
Brownell read in "Woman in White." Boys issued rations for five 
days. Naturally lazed a while myself. 

23rd. In the morning did chores and read the papers. In the 
afternoon went into Adj. Watson's tent. He treated to straw- 
berries. Reeve and Major Miner were in when some one asked 
about our being mustered out of service. He said he thought we 
would not be, and then he asked why we wanted to go. He believed 
if we stayed in the regiment, we would all have commissions. 
In the evening wrote to Will H. Received letters from Fannie 
Andrews and Fred Allen, both excellent. Got some new ideas 
about Will from Fred. News came that Doubleday was coming 
back to command and that the regiment would be taken to another 
field. Boys all rejoiced. Some officers were opposed. 

24th. Sunday. In the morning found my old contraband 
missing. Didn't think it worth while to look for it. Cleaned up 
and prepared for inspection. Archie and Reeve laid out a bed 
of state pistols, sabres and spurs. Wrote to Melissa and Ma and 
some more to Fannie. Read some in an old Independent. In the 
evening went out and heard Chaplain preach a good sermon. Ro- 
mans, 6th chapter, 11th verse. Good remarks. Mrs. Miner was 
out to hear him. The Mrs. Majors are still here raising sensa- 
tions. Seemed good to see them horseback riding. 

25th. Monday. Went over to Capt. Nettleton's tent and bor- 
rowed Longfellow's "Hyperion." Charlie came over in the morn- 
ing and read Will's last journal and my letter from Fred. En- 
joyed both and a first-rate visit about home and "B. F." and other 
friends. Like Fred's course. Read in "Hyperion." Enjoyed it 
pretty well. In the evening commenced a letter to Sarah Felton. 
John Devlin and two other boys of Co. F came in. Were in the 
late brush on Drywood. One of the corporals was wounded. Had 
a clever visit with Newt. Adams. Bill tolerably drunk, yelling as 
usual. Lively talk before sleeping. 

Tuesday, 26th. In the morning read some. Finished a letter 
to Sarah Felton. She is a splendid girl. I wish she would be con- 
tent to stop study for a year like Fannie A. and Fannie H. In 
the afternoon issued five days' rations. Had a very pleasant time 
talking with the boys. Mail came in the evening. None of us but 
John Thayer, received letters. Rather disappointed. Andy enlisted 
and left for Mount Vernon. Rather sorry to see him go — good boy. 

Wednesday, 27th. In the morning did very little. Read some. 
In the afternoon Delos and I went down to see Charlie. He was 
about going to water his horses. Stayed a short time and read a 
Lorain News. Nothing particular. Saw a corpse, a Co. A. man. 
Went in and saw several sick men. Two from Co. H. are doomed to 



September, 1862 29 

die. Boys sat about as carelessly as ever, playing cards and swear- 
ing. Washed the dishes when I got home. Played ball a little. 

Thursday, 28th. In the morning came the detail for the 2nd 
Kansas Battery. Heretofore officers had said that such a detail 
should not be made. But the order came to the Colonel for 150 men 
and the Colonel gave orders to Batt. commanders for the detail 
and they to their companies. The detail was made but not a man 
would go. Three or four companies marched to guard house. Fin- 
ally after several Orderly calls and speeches by Majors to Battalions, 
the detail submitted. The wrangle about the to-be colonel of the 
regiment continues. Papers went on signed by ten in favor of 
Doubleday and nine against. Miner, Burnett and Ratliff rascals — 
selfish. Major P. sent in his resignation. 

Friday, 29th. Morning passed as usual in reading the late 
papers and loafing. Washed dishes. No encouraging news. Sev- 
eral commissions came over — some very just and deserved ones. In 
the afternoon came a detail of all well mounted men to go on an 
expedition into Mo. Archie and I went. 50 men in all under Capt. 
Welch. 9th Wisconsin, Allen's Battery, and part of the 9th Kansas 
along under Gen. Salomon. We went as advance. Rode all night. 
Slept a good deal in saddle. Was very sleepy. Reached Montebello 
just before sunrise. Went in on all roads, dashing down at full 
gallop, but never an enemy. Expected to find 1200 there, 

Saturday, 30th. In the morning was on picket in the towm. 
Roasted corn for breakfast. Ate and slept on a porch to a jay- 
hawked store. Slept soundly. Went to the tannery and had a good 
wash. Got some peaches. Went out about noon and joined the 
main command, two miles out. Went out a mile where Capt. 
Welch was staying with a picket guard. Got plenty of melons to 
eat from a Mrs. Dade, whose husband was in the secesh army, a 
surgeon. Scouting parties went out ten and twelve miles each 
way, north and east. Went out and met our command. Slept in a 
house on floor. Strange. 

Sunday, 31st. Word came early to march. Sergt. Co. K and 
I went out a mile and got breakfast. Three sons in the rebel army. 
Two good horses, but papers from Gen. Salomon guarded them. 
Sergeant had got them to cook a few chickens, on which we lunched. 
At first in the rear, then hurried on and got in the advance. Passed 
through Nevada about noon. Got some warm bread and butter. 
Encamped three miles out, where water was abundant but poor. 
Went out and helped kill and butcher beef. Borrowed some coffee 
till the wagon came up. Slept out till commenced raining. Got 
under wagon. 

SEPTEMBER, 1862. 

Monday, 1st. Reveille in the morning at 3 A. M. Breakfasted 
and started in the advance. Crossed Drywood and grazed. Got 
into camp in time for dinner, Sandy cooking, and several officers 
boarding with the Major. Found a letter from Ella Clark, very 



30 War Diary 

welcome. I have a high regard for her. Boys fully convinced that 
we would soon get mustered out of service. Band went to Leaven- 
worth and home this morning. Boys think can get away in ten or 
fifteen days. In the evening wrote home. Boys all talking about 
home visits. 

Tuesday, 2nd. Slept till rather late — up in time for Sandy's 
breakfast. During the day wrote to Fannie Andrews. Delos called 
in the morning and I read Ella's letter to him. Commented upon it. 
In the evening Charlie came up and I again reviewed Ella's letter 
with him. Read some in Shakespeare and the latest papers. Re- 
ceived letter from home. Last one from Minnie E. Tenney. 

Wednesday, 3rd. Spent the morning visiting with various 
boys about the prospects of going home. Boys all in high spirits. 
Talk of paying Burnett $5 to help us get out. Blunt gone to Leav- 
enworth. When he returns, he will try to get the order made. 
Wrote quite a lengthy letter to Fred Allen — strange boy. This last 
letter is better than any I ever received from him. 

Thursday, 4th. Read some in "Othello." Enjoyed some parts 
much. News came that Jackson had been taken with 20,000 men. 
Proved a lie. Tried to write a decently neat letter to Ella Clark, 
didn't succeed very well. Didn't finish in time for the evening 
mail. A good letter came from Fannie — a little behind time. En- 
joyed it all. Read the latest Cleveland papers. News of the morn- 
ing proved entirely false and we the ones whipped. 

Friday, 5th. Went down to the river and washed. Charlie 
and Delos came up with a letter from Fred Allen, good. Proposed 
a plan for celebrating C's birthday. Report about camp that N. 
and M. were to be married. Rode to town. Went and saw some 
miscellaneous horses. Went to the hospital and saw Merrick and 
Lewis Emmons. Came back to camp in the rain. Sandy in the 
guardhouse for insolence. Got supper. 

Saturday the 6th. Hugh White cooked for us. Sandy got out 
of the guardhouse. Hugh cooked first rate. Read and rested. In 
the evening received a letter from Melissa and a Herald from Uncle 
Albert announcing the marriage of Sister Minnie and giving an 
account of the Oberlin Commencement. He commended Will Hud- 
son's "The Heroic Age," eloquent, earnest, and good. Read a little 
after "taps." Two Independents. 

Sunday, 7th. At breakfast Capt. Seward and Bernard said 
Nettleton had returned. After breakfast saw him and received a 
note from Sister Melissa expressing her delight at the visit with 
"her dear Lu" and giving a description of Minnie's marriage. Sent 
a nice handkerchief. Read some during the day. In the evening 
Capt. Nettleton called, invited me to walk and gave me a minute 
description of his call at Chicago for Melissa ; his visit on the road ; 
visit and business with Tod, about colonel etc.; visit at home, and 
Minnie's marriage. Enjoyed all. Capt. Welsh interrupted us and 
I went to my quarters. 



September, 1862 31 

Monday, 8th. Wrote a short letter to Melissa. Considerable 
talk among officers about the colonelcy. Tod says Ratliff can not 
be colonel. So it is thought Major Miner will be the favored one. 
He says he will either run the regiment or be out of it! Consid- 
erable prejudice against him among the men on account of his 
course at Carthage in April and on the march from Flat Rock. 

Tuesday, 9th. In the afternoon wrote to Ella Clark. Spent 
the day much as other days, reading, writing and loafing about 
hearing the news and waiting for the news. Report that Jackson 
had been captured. Evening papers contradicted the rumor and 
gave the Rebels the decided advantage. Driving our men towards 
Washington. Stirring news from Cincinnati. Battle at Lexington. 
Raw troops whipped out. 

Wednesday, 10th. Word came to Major Burnett that the offi- 
cers of the 2nd Ohio must be unanimous in choosing a colonel or 
someone from the regular army would be chosen. Officers met, 
ballot impromptu, Major Miner 7, Major Purington 7, Major Bur- 
nett 6. 1st ballot, Major Miner 7, Major Burnett 7, Major Puring- 
ton 6. 2nd ballot, Major Burnett 12, Major Miner 8, Major P. hav- 
ing left the room, it being agreed that the one having the least votes 
should drop out. As agreed they made Burnett's vote unanimous. 
Miner seemed almost crazy, so surprised and disappointed. At 4 
P. M. Major Purington left for Columbus with the papers. At 7 
P. M. Major Miner started with his wife. He thought there had 
been underhanded work, so was going to lay the matter before the 
governor. If Burnett were commissioned he wished to be trans- 
ferred. Nettleton stood by him. Very exciting. Officers and men 
full of wine and chamuagne at Burnett's expense. King under ar- 
rest in his tent, awful mad. 

Thursday, 11th. Went down to the post commissary to get 
provisions. Saw Delos and went down with him to see Charlie. 
He agreed upon proposal to fill out a program Fred had sent on 
for the celebration of the 10th, Charlie's birthday, and anniversary 
of our enlistment. Issued rations during the day. Charlie came 
up in the evening and read what he had written. Liked it well. A 
complete farce to fool the boys. No mail for me in the evening. 

Friday, 12th. Spent a good part of the day building me a bed. 
Got some boards at a house near camp. Drove down some stakes, 
made some crossbars and fastened them and laid boards on top, 
making a very comfortable cot. Archie, Ed and Reeve full of the 
Old Nick at night. Nothing of interest transpired. Report that 
we were bound soon for Ohio. 

Saturday, 13th. In the afternoon a brigade left under General 
Salomon for Carthage. Dispatches from Col. Weir came, stating a 
fight was soon expected. I went down and got provisions for 88 
men going from our regiment under Capt. Welch. No mail again. 
Read the latest papers. 

Sunday, 14th. In the morning washed out some shirts, went 
to the creek and bathed and cleaned up generally. Mac Murray 



32 War Diary 

came up and spent the afternoon. He is a good boy. In the even- 
ing borrowed "Agnes of Sorrento" from Q. M. S. Mason and read 
till about 11 o'clock, by Capt. Welch's permission. The boys were 
awake late, talking and making a noise. Col. complained about so 
much noise being made. 

Monday, 15th. Okie and I went to town and got provisions for 
five days' rations. Saw Haynes and went to his tent and took din- 
ner with him. Had a good time. Read a letter from Fred Allen. 
Went into the hospital and visited Bigelow and Ohio boys. Saw 
Laundon and walked to camp with him. Full of fun as ever. 
Found Okie issuing rations. Helped during the rest of the after- 
noon. 

Tuesday, 16th. A rainy, cold and dismal day. Brownell fin- 
ished a little clamshell ring for me. I polished it up nicely. In the 
afternoon and evening read "John Brent." Enjoyed it well. Never 
read a more thrilling story of a ride. The description of the horse 
Don Fulano, and his powers was grand. The horse seemed the 
hero of the tale. Went to town and testified against a prisoner 
taken while out with Major Burnett. I pitied his poor wife, in 
tears. Believed the man Union. 

Wednesday, 17th. Did very little in the morning. Charlie 
came up for the mail — not arrived. Played three games of checkers. 
At dinner talked of books read. Saw Capt. Nettleton, returned 
from Lamar to do some work. Intend to return with him, if Col. 
Abbey will permit it. Hope Buckshot will get well rapidly enough. 

Thursday, 18th. Visited with Capt. Nettleton. Mail came 
bringing letter from Melissa. Wrote home and to Fannie Andrews. 

Friday, 19th. In the morning went to the post commissary 
for provisions. Met on my return to camp the poor man we had 
prisoner, with his wife. I stopped and conversed with them. The 
woman at first seemed angry but she soon quieted. When I bid 
them goodbye, they invited me to call, if I ever came that way. At 
4 P. M. left with detail of 60 men, Capt. Nettleton, Lieuts. Stewart 
and Niman for Springfield. Marched to the Drywood and en- 
camped at 8 P. M. Lost the command and passed them and went 
through the woods. 

Saturday, 20th. Reveille at sunrise. Boys got the coffee and 
bacon ready at the creek. Went down with Archie, washed and 
breakfasted. 

As we passed the Big Drywood, we noticed our bed of rough 
crooked poles. Reached Lamar at 4 P. M. Orders for no man to 
enter any house or to disturb any property whatever. Some com- 
plaining at first but boys soon saw it was the better way. Capt. 
bought a sheep for breakfast. Noticed several rather tasty girls. 

Sunday, 21st. Marched at sunrise. Ate breakfast at hotel. 
Went back after starting to look for Lt. Stewart. Met him coming. 
He had been out to stay with some friends and his horse had 
broken loose. Stopped after 15 miles at Mr. L.'s. Splendid spring, 
bathed in the cold water. Some of the mixed colored population so 
plentiful visited the Capt.'s tent. Two quite pretty little girls. 



September, 1862 33 

Monday, 22nd. Breakfast at 4:15 A. M. Marched at sunrise, 
passing through Greenfield, a very pretty little village. One en- 
couraging sign, seldom seen of late months, a comfortable school- 
house. Stopped two miles out of town, by a spring for dinner. 
Capt., one or two others and myself explored a cave near by. Found 
the layers of stone filled with shells and all sorts of stones. Several 
lizards lying about. Learned afterwards that some bushwhackers 
were watching us from the bluffs above. Here the country changed 
from boundless prairie to woodlands and hills. Like the variety 
better. Encamped for the night after riding 7 miles farther. 
Slept beneath a clump of trees with Archie. 

Tuesday, 23rd. Up, dressed and work done and off at sunrise. 
Our course lay mostly through the woods till within nine miles of 
Springfield. Stopped at a splendid spring and lunched before 
striking the prairie. Capt. looked for cover and finally we 
camped there. Found plenty of peaches and hazelnuts. Archie, 
Chamberlain and I went with the Capt. in to Springfield. The 8 
mile prairie looked more like civilization, good farms and farm 
houses. The highway to town reminded me of the road to Elyria. 
Enjoyed all well. All sociable. Passed the road from the north 
where Fremont's bodyguard charged down the lane. It was indeed 
interesting to be upon and see the ground where the brave fellows 
charged so nobly. Entered the village, passing encampments and 
entrenchments upon elevations on both sides of the road. Spring- 
field a gay little place. Hotel full, stopped at a boarding house. 
Several officers there, music by them and one of their wives. Ex- 
cellent. Humorous major. 

Wednesday, 24th. After breakfast and taking care of our 
horses, we went to meet the command. A mile and a half out I 
waited for the rest to come. Got grapes to eat. Read the morning 
papers. Stirring news of a week for us. We three boys visited 
the earthworks. Saw artillery in Pea Ridge battle, one "Betsy" 
(howitzer) opened the battle second day. Good visit with some 
of the boys. Four regiments came in, Iowa, Wis., Ind., and 111. 
About 25,000 troops in and about Springfield. Arriving all the time 
and working at entrenchments all the time. Salomon at Mt. Ver- 
non. Hindman reported 40,000 strong at Cross Hollows. 

Thursday, 25th. In the morning went to town and did some 
chores for the Capt. Made out a requisition and got corn. Helped 
Chamberlain get some clothing and issue it. Got me a blue over- 
coat, pants and lariat. Wrote brief letter to Fannie A. In P. M. 
detachment started for Mt. Vernon. Encamped at "Little York," 10 
miles. Stayed behind with Porter and a few men and drew rations. 
I couldn't but notice the difference between the business officers 
here and at most posts. All pleasant and accommodating. Last 
night Capt. Nettleton promised me a place in his company as ser- 
geant if I wanted after being mustered out. I was delighted. I 
should like it well. Overtook the command about an hour after 
camping. Became quite cold. Frightened a girl — called to inquire 
our way and surprised them. All seemed frightened. 



34 War Diary 

Friday, 26th. Renewed our march at sunrise after breakfast. 
Our course lay mostly through the woods, a little over rough prairie. 
After 25 miles march, reached Mt. Vernon at 4 P. M. Gen Brown's 
command here mostly Mo. troops, one Arkansas regiment. Made 
requisition and drew corn. Pretty little town. Took supper with 
teamsters. Sold my old overcoat to Noah Long for $4, to be paid 
pay day. News came from Sarcoxie about a fight. Gen. Salomon. 
Good prospects ahead for a fight. Order to muster out staff has 
come. 

Saturday, 27th. Up bright and early and on our way by sun- 
rise. Marched till about noon, then halted and took a lunch. Found 
some good peaches and apples. Col. Small, Chief of Com^missary 
of this dep't, passed us in a four-horse rig. Met Capt. Welch and 
command just before entering Sarcoxie. Seemed good to see the 
2nd and 9th boys again. Found all excitement on account of an 
expected attack — up from 1 A. M. Troops moved to good position 
for defence. John Devlin missed at Greenfield. Received a note 
from Melissa. Visited among the boys and accomplished little. 
Took supper with Capt. Welch and Nettleton. Wier's Brigade 
arrived in the night. 

Sunday, 28th. In the morning went to the creek and washed. 
3rd Indian regiment came in. Chilly and misty. In the P. M. 
Archie, Chamberlain and I went out to hunt peaches. Went three 
miles, found no peaches. Plenty of good wild grapes. -' Got some 
milk from a minister. Written on house "Thou shalt not steal" — 
pretty lady. Read "Virginia" in Macaulay's Essays. In the even- 
ing Chamberlain read Horatius to us — lying under the oak and the 
fly cover of our tent. Enjoyed it. 

Monday, 29th. Spent some time mending up my old clothes. 
After watering my horses had a visit with Trotter, taken prisoner 
at Fort Gibson — some interesting facts. 3,000 of the enemy, poor 
arms and worse clothes, frightened to death for fear of attack. 
Went out in P. M. for forage, 4 miles — corn. Saw a pretty, modest 
maiden weave, barefooted, blushed. Went off the road a mile and 
got peaches, the man a prisoner at Springfield. Wrote home. Or- 
der for detail of 25 men and officers for scout. I go. Success and 
fun ahead I hope. Boys start for Fort Scott. 

Tuesday, 30th. Up long before sunrise and prepared for the 
scout. At 6 A. M. reported to Gen. Salomon. Wanted us to go 30 
miles for coal! Boys all mad. When two miles from Carthage, 
men fired upon the wagons and us from the brush. Drew up into 
line but they did not show themselves. Passed through Carthage. 
Kansas train fired upon. Twelve men went back and met them. 
Reached the coal pit 13 miles west of C, about dark. Bunked with 
Capt. Nettleton, Rained next morning at 2 A. M. Went to wagon. 
Got quite wet. Saw Miss Hood and Shirley at their doors. Heard 
artillery firing. Proved to be a battle at Newtonia between a re- 
connoitering party of 500 and against 7,000 rebels. 2nd Ohio Bat- 
tery covered itself with glory. 



October, 1862 35 



OCTOBER, 1862 

Wednesday, 1st. Up at 5 o'clock. Commenced work at 5 :25. 
Divided into three reliefs. I took charge for four hours. Boys 
went for provisions to a house three miles and got some breakfast 
at an empty house. Kept at work — after breakfasting at 10 — till 
noon. Then marched homewards. Bivouacked 2 miles west of Car- 
thage. Slept with A. B. N. My birthday anniversary (twenty- 
one) . Charge of advance guard. 

Thursday, 2nd. Renewed our march without breakfast. 
Scoured the woods for our old friends. Took five men and acted as 
skirmishers. No bird discovered. Reached camp in the P. M. 
Heard the boys relate their stories about the fight. Somewhat tired. 

Friday, 3rd. Was going to the river to wash when I was de- 
tailed for picket guard. My first experience. Reported with 14 
men. Relieved 12 on the Granby road and stayed there till 10 P. M. 
Drawn in to go with command. Whole body moved at 12. Got 
ready and fell in. N. gave me the command of a platoon of 20 men. 
Quite an honor! Horse had belly-ache. Bled him most to death. 
Had to leave him. Saw Sturtevant coming. Had the rear guard. 

Saturday, 4th. Rainy and cold early. At sunrise got in sight 
of the enemy at Newtonia. Got batteries and men into position and 
fired upon them. The scene of the cannonading of our troops and 
the enemy was grand. The enemy in force are massed behind a 
fence and upon the plain near the woods. Our troops occupied the 
surrounding hills. The enemy at first scatter at the artillery fire, 
then collect again and commence a retreat. Rabb's Battery, in- 
fantry and cavalry follow. We had been support to this battery. 
Now we change to the 2nd Battery, our own, which had been shell- 
ing the town and driven 100 men out. Boys rush into town and 
soon report 23 wounded of the Dutch retaken. Soon camped for the 
day. Horses saddled. The enemy fight Rabb. He follows closely 
and pours shell into them. Boys lay down, half frozen, and slept. 
One adj. regiment and one Adj. General captured. Took one piece 
of artillery, a long wire arrangement. Got rails and water and had 
coffee. Horse grows stronger. Rode about town. 

Sunday, 5th. In the morning rode about town and visited the 
different places of interest connected with the battle. Went into the 
stable where the Dutch were confined. At noon, after a hearty meal 
got up by us non-commissioned officers, started south, Capt, Sew- 
ard came on and took command, N. officer of the day. Encamped 
on Big Indian, 15 miles from Pineville, 

Monday, 6th, Got all ready to start. Ordered to lie still for a 
day or two for train supply to arrive. Went out on forage detail 
under Welch and Shattuck, four miles, got plenty of sweet pota- 
toes and apples and honey. Sergt. Smith, Sturtevant and I got up 
a good meal. Had a good visit with the boys — very warm day. 
Shattuck said I had been reserved to stay in the regiment. Most of 



36 War Diary 

the boys mustered out. A regular officer, a captain, is to be our 
Colonel. 

Tuesday, 7th. Commenced a letter to Fannie after the morn- 
ing work. Went to the river and washed some shirts with Sergt. 
Smith, Co. K., a boy whom I like much from short acquaintance. 
Mail arrived about noon, letters from Fannies A. and H., Sarah 
Felton, Fred and George Ashman. Went to 9th Kansas surgeon 
to get medicine for Sturtevant. Finished good Fannie's letter. Sick 
with carbuncle and I with boils afflicted. I am so disappointed that 
I can not see her and home friends this fall. Bunked with Capt. N., 
Co. K. tent. Read part of a letter from Melissa, good sister. Read 
the late Cleveland papers. We lay and talked about boy and girl 
friends. 

Wednesday, 8th. Commenced drizzling in the morning and 
kept it up all day. I was detailed to act as Sergt. Major, which 
pleased me much. Went with picket detail and reported to Stewart 
at Salomon's headquarters. Went down and saw Battery boys, 
and Archie, Reeve, Brooks, and Mason. Good time. In the P. M. 
Major Burnett with detail started back to Fort Scott. Major sick. 
Our cook among the detail, so we boys had to commence cooking 
ourselves. Kept raining all night. Battery paid off and very noisy. 

Thursday, 9th. Orders came to be ready to march at 7 A. M,, 
we to draw our pay before starting. Hastened breakfast and we 
were paid during the day. Awful wet and muddy, cold and chilly. 
Wore overcoats and shivered. Delayed the march. In the evening 
a Kansas officer of the day became frightened and alarmed the 
camp. Got saddled and sat two hours in the rain. Boys mad. 
Some of the boys started for the fort with the sick. 

Friday, 10th. Sky clear and quite cold. Lieut. Spencer and I 
issued a good amount of clothing. About noon orders came to 
march. After a hurried dinner, saddled and lay about until most 
sundown. Rear guard. Had to wait till every wagon had started. 
Very dull business ; probably the advance guard was in camp before 
we started. Every mile wagons were in to the hubs in mud. At 
midnight halted, saddles on, so many teams had given out. Fed 
and lay down with oilcloth for a coverlet. Had lent my shawl to 
Sergt. Randall. 

Saturday, 11th, Up before sunrise and got roasted potatoes 
and honey for breakfast. Marched at sunrise. Passed Wier's and 
Cloud's Brigades at five miles — and Schofield's. Encamped at Fer- 
guson Springs, eight miles from Cassville. Arrived at 3 P. M. 
Feasted and rested. 

Sunday, 12th. Cleaned my revolver and dried my cartridges. 
Indians had preaching by their Chaplain. Seemed good to hear 
singing and preaching even in an unknown tongue. Took a bundle 
of letters to headquarters. Smith went with me, a right good fel- 
low. Went to spring and bathed. 

Monday, 13th. Made the detail to go for forage in charge of 
Sergt. Smith. Went along in wagon. Got some cabbage and talked 



October, 1862 37 

with some women while the boys loaded oats. Oh what suffering 
and misery this war is making. But there is an end to be gained 
at all hazards. Were it otherwise it could hardly be endured. Went 
out in the afternoon and bought some apples and lard. Ball and 
Smith were the company. Pitied the poor woman and her children. 
Tuesday, 14th. Saw the Lieuts. play poker a while. Was sur- 
prised to see Will Bushnell come up to headquarters boldly with 
cigar in his mouth. Somewhat changed. In the P. M. wrote a 
short letter to Fannie A. 

Wednesday, 15th. Paymaster started for the fort — 9th Kan- 
sas and 3rd Wis. escort — made the picket detail. Man wanted to 
buy salt at most any price — the article is very scarce. 

Thursday, 16th. Spent the day reading various nonsensical 
books. Rather a lazy day on the whole. Capt. Nettleton returned. 
Whole detachment ordered to "Hazel Hollow" on picket duty. Six 
miles, advance guard. Slept in a vacant house. Quite a confab 
with a Kansas Lieut. 

Friday, 17th. Aroused at 3 A. M. Killed a calf for breakfast. 
Quite a time trying to kill a pig. Marched at sunrise. Whole com- 
mand gone from old camp. Rear guard. At noon arrived at Krits- 
ville. Stayed till 10 P. M. Marched again at 10 and moved till near 
morning. Lay down a few minutes by a little fire. Before day- 
break passed the Arkansas line, Elkhorn Tavern, and stopped for a 
cold lunch on the old Pea Ridge battle ground. Interesting — trees 
considerably marred by bullets. Shot, grape, and shell picked up 
by different boys as relics of the battle. 

Saturday, 18th. Lay about two or three hours, then went into 
camp on the rise near the spring. Marks of a large rebel camp. 
At noon orders came for the Capt. to go with 50 men to Benton- 
ville, to learn locality and number of the enemy. I went. Started 
about dusk. Called at a house to know distance. Two or three 
girls. Looked like a cousin. Shattuck with advance guard two 
miles ahead. Boys said he was a coward, rode way behind the men. 
Halted and fed. Heard artillery moving. Capt. ordered me to take 
four men and guide and learn what it was. It sounded as though it 
were moving from the southwest. After going a mile or two, we 
were halted by a picket, close at hand. Ordered one to advance, 
dismount, and give the countersign. Dared not risk it. Asked 
who they were. "Federals." Asked who we were. "Federals." 
"Advance then." What division did they belong to? Gen. Heron's. 
Never heard of him. What brigade? Would not tell. Ordered 
them to tell or would march my battalion on them. Didn't care a 
damn, advance or he would fire. Advanced horseback, a couple of 
rods. Ordered to dismount or he would shoot. Couldn't see it and 
shied behind a tree. Told him to listen and I would give the coun- 
tersign — "Allen." "What! Allen — never! that won't do here." 
Did you understand it, "Allen"? Bang, bang, bang, bang. Boys 
wheeled and ran. I had sent two back to report to the captain. I 
wheeled and got behind another tree a rod back. Cocked my re- 



38 War Diary 

volver and fired once, then wheeled and ran. The bullets followed 
mighty thick. Met the command and reported the facts. One of 
the boy's horses was shot in the leg and abandoned. Capt. turned 
back and went back the same road to camp. Capt. discovered he 
had given me the "parole" instead of countersign, a mistake that 
would not happen again for an age, but one that might have caused 
a great deal of trouble. Started for Bentonville on another road. 
Slept two hours. N. had cautioned me to be very careful and not 
approach any force but to learn from families. Proved to be our 
men — Heron's. 

Sunday, 19th. Fed when out two or three miles. Got some 
apples. When we reached Heron's division, I called at his quarters 
and inquired if he could give the Capt. any information. Very 
pleasant. Stylish. A fur coverlet, neat stove and desk, cigars and 
very fine dress. Said that the rebel pickets were within a third of 
a mile of ours the night before. Wouldn't pass his pickets, hardly 
advisable, do as he thought fit. Went through to the town, 100 of 
our Indians there. Called at two houses and had very pleasant and 
spicy chats with two girls, one pleasant lady. Southern officers 
left their "regards" for any "Feds" that might call. Believed the 
south right. Would fight if a man. Got back to camp at dark and 
found good letter from home and Fannie. Pleased with the whole 
trip and incidents. Quite a laugh with the captain. /Like Arkansas 
first rate considering — good farms and orchards — pretty girls. 

Monday, 20th. In the morning watered my horse and cleaned 
up his feet. Capt. N. told me something very acceptable from Col. 
Ratliffe. Read the Lorain Neivs and Cleveland Herald. In the 
P. M. wrote to Fannie. 

Tuesday, 21st. Spurgeon went out with forage detail. Bill 
Smith lost $15. Circumstances as follows: Capt. had given him 
some money to pay the boys. We lay on the blankets conversing 
when Sheldon came up, and Bill pulled out his money and paid him. 
He had showed me the money a little while before. All three lay 
down. Bill and I side by side and S. a little farther down. All^ at 
once Sheldon attracted mine and B.'s attention to a holster, asking 
if I had lost my revolver. After we had examined, I left. In five 
or ten minutes Nick called us to dinner. We ate and I went a few 
rods into the woods, leaving B. by his horse. When I came back B. 
had lost his money. We looked all about. Soon he told me he sus- 
picioned Sheldon. I tried to find him. Finally found him playing 
poker, 2 or 3 P. M. Stolen at noon. 

Wednesday, 22nd. After breakfast went out on Culver's horse 
foraging with Spurgeon and Bushnell. Got some apples and a 
sheep. At one house where we stopped, two sons were forced into 
the army. The people felt very badly. The old lady, 70 years old, 
prayed very earnestly and loudly for mercy and protection — quite 
touching. 

Thursday, 23rd. Bill and I did some washing. Johnson, Co. 
E, invited us to dinner — pork and crackers. Made inquiries about 



October, 1862 39 

Sheldon. Found he had not sold his pony — never found it. Claimed 
he sold it to get "poker money." Said he went immediately to play- 
ing poker with Co. F after leaving here. They said it was the mid- 
dle of the P. M. N. asked him in and saw him. Would not admit it. 
Read St. Louis Repuhlicmi of the 20th. Surprised to see Ohio so 
Democratic. Hope it won't influence the president. 

Friday, 24th. Got the morning reports and combined them. 
Helped pitch the tent and clean up. Turned very chilly — appear- 
ance of cold weather. News of a fight, Black and Cooper, few par- 
ticulars, 200 prisoners and 4 cannon. During the night three or 
four inches of snow fell. 

Saturday, 25th. A cold wintry morning. Never remember of 
seeing snow so early. Snow fell during the forenoon. Afternoon 
more moderate. Night cold. Built a big fire of brush. Com- 
fortable. 

Sunday, 26th. Cold but pleasant morning. Made a forage de- 
tail to go out with brigade teams. Several of the boys played poker. 
Read some in Pope. The Iliad. Gibbs strange fellow. Came into 
the army a professing Christian, a class leader, today he is playing 
poker with the boys. I occasionally hear an oath from him. Never 
saw a man more egotistical. Eats more than any three men. Still 
a harmless fellow. Good talk about going home with Co. H boys 
around a big fire. 

Monday, 27th. Report that we are to go to Camp Cleveland, 
boys all pleased. Made picket detail and heard the officers discuss 
military tactics. Some rather ignorant. A beautiful day, warm 
and pleasant in the sun. Cold in the shade. Capt. N. officer of the 
day. Small train came from the fort and recruits for Battery. No 
news brought about going to Ohio and worse still, no mail. Pity 
that none of the 2nd Ohio care enough about their fellow soldiers 
to send their letters to them. Orders to march next morning at 6. 
Boys played poker till midnight — precious little sleep. 

Tuesday, 28th. Reveille at three. Breakfasted and were on 
the move at 6 in the advance — bound for Maysville. Capt. kept me 
running a good deal. Passed through Bentonville about noon. Saw 
several whom I had seen on my other visit there. Passed along 
two miles. Got plenty of rambow apples at an orchard. Encamped 
in an orchard. Had to go two miles for water. An old man showed 
us protection papers, signed by Curtis, given because he went for 
the old Constitution. 

Wednesday, 29th. Up at daybreak. In the rear guard. Wait- 
ed several hours for the train to get by. Stewart and Jacobah came 
up and joked. Read a Leslie. Very slow work today, so many 
halts. Can not admire Capt. Seward. Had the impudence to keep 
me carrying water for him to drink. Lingered to guard a sutler, 
whose stock he tried — the miserable poison. Advance guard fired 
upon near a mill, three stories. Got into camp at Price's old head- 
quarters three miles from Maysville — an old Free Love Institute, 
they say. Had a little conversation with our guide of the 1st Ar- 



40 War Diary 

kansas. Bill and I went to work to get supper — soon others 
joined us. 

Thursday, 30th. In the rear guard again. Till noon getting 
to Maysville, a little place, mostly forsaken, a few old people. Tried 
to catch a hog. Didn't succeed. Letters from home, Sept. 30th, and 
an Inde^jendent. Read Lorain News. Little article about N. and 
me being taken prisoners. 

Friday, 31st. Reveille between two and three A. M. Break- 
fasted and off in advance at five on backward track. Reported that 
our rations had run short, a train been captured, etc. — again that 
we were to join Schofield, etc. Nothing of interest till we reached 
camp 10 miles from Bentonville, near where they were fired upon 
before. I had gone ahead to see if there was a spring up a ravine, 
advance a little ahead — halted — suddenly, "bang, bang, bang." 
Drew revolver and waited. Nothing appeared. Saw Hoppy, Co. 
B, running by — followed. Heard him telling a woman to show him 
where to find the rebels. I told him we knew enough and two of 
us rushed up the hill and others followed. Burr, Co. G, rushed 
ahead. I saw nobody, soon heard shouting — Burr — saw him and 
followed. Got off half a mile. Foolishness to pursue so far with 
such a start. Followed a distance and was returning when we met 
Capt. Welch's command. Scouted the woods some and went to 
camp. One man was overtaken, his arms taken and himself shot. 
Got dinner at the house. Considerable excitement. 



NOVEMBER, 1862 

Saturday, 1st. Lay in camp. Men save ours were mustered 
for pay. The boys went out and got the body of the Butternut, and 
buried him in the cornfield — shot in the neck. Wrote home. Bought 
a jacket of T. R. S. Saw Major P.'s ring we boys have bought for 
him — nice. Went to bed rather early. Commenced a letter to Fan- 
nie. Interrupted to go out scouting. In the P. M. Capt. Welch with 
Stewart and Lisering and 25 men went out seven or eight miles 
expecting to find some bushwhackers seen by a 9th Wis. Found 
nobody. Stopped at three houses and got horses. One girl, hus- 
band pressed into rebel army, plead so earnestly for her pony. It 
was touching. Finally the captain gave it back. Reached camp 
at 1 A. M. 

Sunday, 2nd. In the morning read Oct. Atlayitic. In the P. M. 
finished Fannie's letter. Detail came for Lt. or trusty Srgt. to go 
out with 30 men as escort to brigade forage teams. Officers said 
they proposed sending me. I agreed if they wished it, to start at 
7:30 A. M. 

Monday, 3rd. Orders to march at 7. Up at 3 A. M. Break- 
fasted and in saddle at 7. Advance guard. Marched 8 or 10 miles 
to Osage Spring 5 miles south of Bentonville, Ark., on Burns' 
farm. Got the lady to bake some bread. Went out and killed some 
chickens. Quite tired at night. 



November, 1862 41 

Tuesday, 4th. During the day got a report of horses in de- 
tachments. Bill and I washed some clothes. Before dark orders 
came for a company of 2nd 0. V. C. to report to Col. Weir with 3 
days' rations. Capt. N. went with 40 men, I along. Reported and 
after waiting an hour or two returned till daylight the next morn- 
ing. Got a good sleep. Caught some cold from damp clothes. 

Wednesday, 5th. Up at 3 A. M. After breakfast started for 
Jones' Mills, with two companies of 6th Kansas. Some 10th Kan- 
sas — two howitzers. Pitched tents and made ourselves comfort- 
able. 

Thursday, 6th. In the morning went out with four men to 
forage three and one-half miles south. Load of oats for 6th and 
2nd. The owner just up from Vanburen with two bushels of salt. 
Seemed to have considerable information, so took him in to Capt. 
Quigg. One of the boys met me with my horse to go with Capt. and 
20 men on scout. Had to gallop a good distance to catch up. With- 
in seven miles of Fayetteville, fifteen miles distant from camp, took 
a prisoner from Col. Armstrong's conscripts. He was at home — on 
furlough — been sick. Out with horse saddled, talking with his wife 
washing by the clear stream of water. She seemed a very pretty 
la'^^y, pitied her — innocent looking man. Before reaching Fayette- 
v:'lle two miles out, Capt. sent me with three men. Porter, Morgan 
and Shaw. After going a mile, found a fire; soon spied two 
mounted men with glistening guns around a point of woods, watch- 
ing us and quietly disappearing. Sent back word. No answer and 
went on. After half a mile we got within sight of them, but did not 
know whether to shoot or not — no instructions. They took a final 
look and went pellmell down the hill. Sent word to Capt, No in- 
structions again. Neared town — women and girls at windows and 
doors — perfectly ignorant ! Didn't know that there were any se- 
cesh in town. Passed by a large house. Big negro woman stood 
on the stoop, showing her teeth and pointing to town ominously, 
and shook her head. Such were appearances. By the tannery 
stood a grey horse, looking like the one the picket was riding ; were 
discussing whether to take it or not, when two men came out, citi- 
zens apparently; said there were but two or three dozen in town. 
Capt. halted his command and overtook us and asked what we had 
learned. Told us not to go further for the present. Turn back if 
he whistled. After enquiries whistled and turned back. Porter and 
I kept in the rear in hope that they would follow us. Three miles 
out saw a man at a house near by. Rode out and learned that he 
had charge of a hospital at F. Had no papers to show it. Took 
him to Capt. He brought him to camp. Rode along beside him all 
the way in. Had been in the service one year last May, on Raines' 
staff. Dressed in a field officer's uniform, coat, black pants, neat 
gloves and cap and patent leather boots. Was perfectly sanguine 
of success eventually — perfectly posted in regard to our movements. 
A lady was out riding with him, out to see some sick. Very indig- 
nant. Waited at a private house with him for supper, while Capt. 
went to camp and back. Ladies very much pleased to see him. 



42 War Diary 

Very sure he is an officer of rank. Said he had no commission as 
surgeon. Showed an appointment as assistant surgeon by surgeon 
of 8th Div. Mo. State Guards. 

Friday, 7th. Capt. Quigg after examination released "Dr. 
Brissel" without a parole. Capts. Lucas and Nettleton and all the 
boys think the man fooled us — black hair and whiskers, good look- 
ing and very gentlemanly. Heard no mean expression. When I 
bade him good morning, three miles out, he shook hands with me, 
and said if we ever got into trouble, he would be glad to do what he 
could for us. At 11 A. M. got orders to march with two days' ra- 
tions, at 12 M. Had no bake kettles and no rations but beans and 
flour. Got me a canteen full of bean soup. Ready at noon. 25 2nd 
Ohio and 25 6th Kansas. Had charge of platoon of twelve — our 
boys. Went west, trotted most of the time. Got to the tannery at 
3 P. M. 13th at work getting out the hides from the vats. Soon Col. 
Cloud with 250 or 300 — and all went to work. A grand scene. 
Would like to see it represented in Leslie. Burned up twenty or 
twenty-five thousand dollars worth of property. Started in about 
dark — southwest. Went 15 or 20 miles, mostly on a trot. Then 
stopped at a field of corn and lay down by fires till 4 or 5 A. M. 
Changed platoons to get 2nd Ohio together. Capt. N. with Kansas 
platoons. 

Saturday, 8th. Still southwest to Rhea's Mills ten miles and 
then breakfast — fresh beef and no salt. Col. Philips here two 
nights before, two of his Indians shot. Two girls wounded se- 
verely by rebels firing into a house. After breakfast went to my 
own men with Capt. Gave Capt. Lucas detachment — the advance. 
Direction southeast. Rode 7 or 8 miles to Cane Hill — Boonsboro — 
hilly country. Pickets fired upon at Cane Hill. Captured a secesh 
saddle and equipments. Went into town. Col. made inquiries and 
moved on. Col. always with the advance. Went a couple of miles 
and bang, bang, went guns. Soon 60 or 70 men showed themselves 
in the woods on a hill half a mile to our left. Sharp's rifles and car- 
bines came into play — no effect — distance too great. Howitzers 
came up, cavalry fell back into the woods and shell went whizzing 
over the cornfield. They skedaddled. One fellow whom 8 or 10 men 
started for, ran forward and threw down the fence and then ran 
back behind a tree. Blue overcoat. Did not take him. Bold fellow. 
They took two or three prisoners. After some delay, Col. learned 
that the rebels, 400 or 500, were one mile farther on. Went on a 
mile, saw pickets on a distant hifl. Sharpshooters advanced, and 
then command moved forward. Found camp just vacated — fires 
still burning. Went over the Boston mountains. Over the moun- 
tains at the foot, our extreme advance came in sight of rear guard 
of the enemy. A charge was ordered and away we flew with loose 
reins and set spurs, up hill and down hill, across and back again 
Cove Creek, a very rough road. After three miles we began to see 
stirrups, blankets, corn and a thousand things strewn along the 
road. The Col. was up with us. He commenced yelling, which 
was kept up by all the men. More things scattered along. After 



November, 1862 43 

ten miles in the midst of excitement, back came a volley of shot 
and bullets from the bush at a point a little elevated just ahead of 
us. The extreme advance fell back a few rods. Up we rode upon a 
charge into the bush as we were ordered. We rode up and fired 
away. Still farther up into the road we were ordered. We hurried 
up and formed along the road facing the bush. The bullets whis- 
tled merrily for a season. Not over 20 or 25 were up. We fired 
all our rounds, then a sabre charge was ordered. We had our sabres 
drawn and ready for a charge, when Capt. Lucas' horse was shot 
and the rebels were running by a byroad. The color-bearer was 
shot through the head and colors captured, 13 stars — two others 
were reported killed. Waited for signs of the enemy, but in vain. 
Went down and helped about unloading wagons and burned them. 
None of us harmed. Started back. Returned 4 or 5 miles and 
camped. All the boys got some little trap — baggage and equip- 
ments of Mo. Provost Guard commanded by Provost Gen. McDon- 
ald. Private correspondence of Col. Sevier of Marseilles, Mo. One 
excellent letter from his Aunt Phil on the war. 

Sunday, 9th. Recrossed the mountain, after a breakfast of 
hoecake of meal captured from the enemy. Went by another road 
direct for Fayetteville. Very rough roads and poor country most 
of the way. Encamped in sight of the town. 

Monday, 10th. After breakfast — poor beef — went into town. 
Advance with secesh flag and a dozen rushed to it and showed 
passes from Raines and McDonald — one had taken an oath to shoot 
every picket, straggler, messenger or pilot he could. Citizens came 
in for protection. Several recruits came in with guns. 6th sang 
John Brown and Dixie. Got back to the Mills at noon — tired out 
and chafed up badly — without anything to eat to speak of but fresh 
beef — and that seldom enough. On a trot most of the time — tried 
to rest some. Letters from home and Fannie. 

Tuesday, 11th. Capt. went to camp and left me in charge of 
Det. Wrote letters home and to Fannie. Felt most sick during the 
day. Did little. Read the Independeiit in the evening. 

Wednesday, 12th. Lay around most of the day, feeling most 
sick. Went into the mill. Capt. returned and Bushnell and several 
boys for a visit. Said Major Purington sent his love at three dif- 
ferent times to me. Made me feel good. Sky clear again. Yes- 
terday cloudy and cold. 

Thursday, 13th. Felt most sick. Had a slight chill — I sup- 
pose — afterwards feverish. Moved camp late in the afternoon on 
account of a report by an old man who came in with two conscript 
deserters to join our army, that a force of cavalry of 9,000 were 
moving north, then at Cane Hill. Before midnight orders came to 
join our commands. Got breakfast and saddled at 2 A. M. 

Friday, 14th. At 2 A. M. moved a mile to the other mill, then 
lay down by the fire till sunrise. Marched most of the day in the 
woods, southwest. Found the command encamped at some good 
springs. I felt very tired and sick, sore throat and chill. Went to 



44 War Diary 

bed early. Capt. Seward came in. Had been with 200 men, some 
2nd 0. to Cane Hill. Had a skirmish with enemy. None hurt. 

Saturday, 15th. Alarm at 4. Saddled and packed up. At nine 
in line on account of firing heard. Proved to be Capt. Greenough 
fighting a scouting party. Enemy moved camp about a mile to the 
prairie west, a little nearer the other brigades. I still felt pretty 
bad — another slight chill. Lay down by fire but could not keep 
warm. Fever some worse in the night. 

Sunday, 16th. It commenced raining early and kept it up all 
day. Felt weak and miserable. Still did my duties as sergeant 
Maj. Some seventy odd contrabands came in from Indian Terri- 
tory — Creeks. A good many had arms. They had a skirmish with 
bushwhackers. Seven of their men killed. 

Monday, 17th. Made the accustomed details. Papers from 
home. Herald, the 8th. Archie gave me a bottle of pickles. Lay 
still in the tent. Boys got a stove and had a good fire. At night 
feverish again. Very hot fire. 

Tuesday, 18th. Still rainy and muddy. Lay in the tent unless 
obliged to get out. Almost homesick. Body guard came back. 
Sore throat. 

Wednesday, 19th. Wrote short letters home and to Fannie. 
Cleared up about noon. Bought a pack of envelopes and a little 
'^ndv. Moved camp up on the hill to the Masonic Hall. In the 
evening had a chill, took some quinine. 

Thursday, 20th. Another pleasant day. Made a detail of 20 
men, one sergeant, two corporals, picket, 15 for forage. Chicken 
broth and dumplings for dinner. 

Friday, 21st. Took three powders and at night had another 
chill. Drank some capsicum tea. Slept pretty well. 

Saturday, 22nd. Took a blue pill and three quinine powders 
during the day. Kept very quiet. Went to bed early and rested 
well. Still did my usual duties. Letter from home. 

Sunday, 23rd. In the morning commenced Macaulay's "War- 
ren Hastings." Kept still during the day and commenced to feel 
like myself again. Had a good visit with A. B. 

Monday, 24th. Read 15 or 20 pages in "Hastings." Made the 
details. Got my horse shod during the afternoon. Rebel Captain 
and 25 men with flag of truce came in with sealed orders for Gen. 
Blunt. Some shrewd fellows they say. 

Tuesday, 25th. Went over to see secesh but they had gone. 
Shattuck went on detail as chief of commissary. Capt. Seward said 
I must make out morning reports after this. Major Purington re- 
ceived orders to proceed at once with his command to Evansville. 
Blair's Battery practised with artillery — shell. Major and detach- 
ment started out on a scout, an odd old genius on a white horse as 
guide. Went by a byroad. When 4 or 5 miles from Cincinnati, 
crossed a byroad where 400 or 500 had passed. I had charge of 
advance. Before going a half mile, saw two "butternuts." Wheeled 
and ran like fun. Followed about a mile and learned from a family 



November, 1862 45 

that 4 or 5 had passed not more than ten minutes before. Reported 
back. Followed most of the time at a trot. When we had gone two 
miles, we struck the main road and here the rebels fired at us from 
the brush. I had 20 men. All wheeled but 3 men. Soon rallied. 
Moved on a few rods and saw 15 or 20 in line by the bushes ready 
to fire. They fired and we in line fired in return. Soon Major sent 
word to reload. While reloading the rebels crossed the byroad to 
the main road. We followed a few hundred rods and were ordered 
to halt. Soon some of the 3rd Wis. came up, and passed dis- 
mounted. When 5 or 6 rods ahead a volley was poured into them, 
wounding two. Two days after, we heard that they were 400 of 
Quantrell's men and that they ran to Cane Hill, also that 4,000 went 
over the mountains. Also that we killed two men. Bivouacked 
without fires. 

Wednesday, 26th. Capt. Welch came up with 15 men and Capt. 
Greenough with 50 men, increasing our force to 180. At daylight 
moved on south. Passed through Cane Hill and followed the Divi- 
sion train, which we supposed the rebs were after. Officers feared 
that they had run into the rebel camp at Dutch Mills. Found them 
on 3 or 4 miles. Went on with them 3 or 4 miles, then went on 
alone till within a mile of the mills. Then Major and Capt. Green- 
ough went on alone and discovered two regiments in direction of 
Cane Hill moving north at a trot. We turned back by untraveled 
roads and reached camp at 9 P. M. 

Thursday, 27th. Up at 3 A. M. and ready to march at sunrise. 
Went as advance of whole division. I had charge of advance, 20 
men. Moved south till within a mile of Rhea's Mills. Fed ourselves 
and horses at Cin. and went on. The scouts were in advance most 
of the time, saw no enemy. Got some nice apples at a house. Went 
into camp on the hill and went out as picket on the road to the 
south. Slept without fires. 

Friday, 28th. Started out at 5 as advance, but soon were or- 
dered back, as rear guard. Division moved by another road. While 
at Rhea's Mills we could hear the cannon roar. How aggravating. 
Moved on to Cane Hill. Learned that quite a battle had taken place 
there and on the mountain beyond. Went to a house and got some 
provisions. Built fires and rested, after some fresh pork and meal 
cakes. 

Saturday, 29th. Other brigades returned to Cane Hill, where 
we had been retained as reserve. Our brigade was ordered back to 
Rhea's Mills. Moved back and camped north of the mill. Got the 
mail from the train just arrived. Six letters, two from Fannie, 3 
from home and 1 from Will. Happy boy. Several papers. 

Sunday, 30th. Had to make out morning report and field re- 
port and details. Was kept quite busy all day. In the evening 
wrote to Fannie A. 



46 War Diary 



DECEMBER, 1862 

(Still in Arkansas, near Bentonville) 

Monday, 1st. Day cold, like snow. Kept quite busy all day. 
Did some washing. In the evening wrote home a hasty letter. 

LETTER FROM L. H. TENNEY TO HIS MOTHER AND SISTERS 

Camp at Ray's Mills, Arkansas, Dec. 1, 1862. 
My Dear Friends: 

I guess you wonder a little why you don't hear from your soldier boy. 
Well, I presume you will wonder often if we stay in the field and keep up our 
scouts and marches. Since last Tuesday, my regular day for writing and the 
day I intended to write, I haven't had a minute's opportunity for writing until 
yesterday, and then I was busy till night, when I was too tired to write. 

Tomorrow another train leaves for the Fort. Several sick boys return. 
I should have liked to go back for comfort, but after all as long as there is a 
man in the Regiment in the field, I want to be there, too, though there must 
be some suffering and sacrifices. 

Today I had an opportunity to go into the Brigade Commissary as clerk 
and get $12 a month extra. Lt. Shattuck, brother of Nina, is acting Brigade 
Commissary and wanted me to help him. N. thought I hadn't better go. I 
don't care much. Should have liked the little spondulics though. 

f^Sunday night when we arrived here I found six letters, three from home, 
two from Fannie, and one from Will. I guess I was happy that night and as 
usual dreamed of home. Thede, I thank you very much for your good long 
letter. You did me proud. Please do so more. 

I see by the papers that Col. Ford has received his just desertsj I enjoy 
all the particulars of the home circle visits, calls and town gossip. It is always 
my Thanksgiving Day when my letters come. My letters both received and 
written have been quite irregular of late and I presume will be in future. 

During the last week we have been on our horses most of the time. My 
ague left me just in time. Tuesday and Wednesday our detachment was out 
on a scout down below here a little. We had the pleasure of overtaking 400 of 
Quantrell's men Tuesday night and turned their course from the north south- 
ward on double quick. The Major had 115 men. I had the pleasure of being 
in the advance and had two or three little skirmishes with the rear guard. 
None of us. how I don't know, was hurt. Afterwards some of the 3rd Wis. 
were sent ahead of us and when a few rods in advance were fired into from 
the bushes and two of the men wounded. 

I suppose you have heard by this time of the fight at Cane Hill and beyond. 

Thursday our detachment went in advance of the whole division but Fri- 
day we were rear guard and the Brigade was left at Cane Hill as a reserve. 
It was aggravating to hear the roar of artillery and not partake. There will 
be some hard fighting if we go over the mountains. 

I have no ambition to die immediately or anything of that sort. I guess 
life, real life, is precious to the most wicked, but I do long to have our armies 
hasten on to victory or defeat. If Schofield's forces join ours, I believe our 
success will be sure, though earned by a good deal of sacrifice. 

Lt. Shattuck has been acting Adj. but has gone now. So I have enough to 
do his duties and those of Sergt. Major. 

I have just been out doors and I could see the "fire on the mountains" 
along our line of march over the hills from the North. 

Tonight the air is cold and the fire in our little stove is comfortable and 
cozy enough. We are getting well used to bivouacking in the open air with 
few blankets and no fires. When out scouting we go without fires so as not to 
let the enemy know our movements. Sometimes we can't get much sleep. 



December, 1862 49 

though. Don't you believe I occasionally long to creep into that soft bed at 
home and to sit down at our little supper table? Oh no, never! 

Please excuse another hasty letter. The Independents have come as usual. 
I presume w^e will remain here a few days and then go over the mountains. 
I hope so. 

The boys are all talking as loudly as can be and I can't think overmuch 
straight. 

With much love, 

Luman. 

Tuesday, 2nd. Saw Shattuck. $9.00 extra. Refused. Up 
early with orders to report with the train to Fort Scott. Most of 
the boys glad. Marched to Cincinnati (Ark.). 

Wednesday, 3rd. Met the train coming- down — some delay. 
Sorted out the mail. Several letters for me, Fannie, Lucy, Fred, 
Charley. Marched to our old camp on Lindsley Prairie. 

Thursday, 4th. Marched to Maysville and camped in town. 
Cold and uncomfortable. Went to the Secesh hospital and got sup- 
per of the family. Good visit with the surgeon. Invited me to stay 
over night. 

Friday, 5th, As we neared Cowskin a good many bushwhack- 
ers showed themselves, but at a distance. Camped three miles north 
of Elk Mills. 

Saturday, 6th, Up at 3 A. M, and off at daylight as usual. 
Reached Neosho at 8 P, M, Charlie and I got supper at a private 
house, secesh. Got into a little fuss with Mart Cole in regard to 
forage. He pushed me off the wagon and I reported him. He was 
tied up to a tree for an hour. The Major asked me why I did not 
knock him down. Afterwards I was put under arrest for investi- 
gation. 

Sunday, 7th. Up and off as early as usual, I carried a car- 
bine and rode as usual in the ranks. Saw a large flock of wild tur- 
keys. Advance ran after three "butternuts." Took two horses. 
Saw any number of rebels around Diamond Grove, Encamped four 
miles west of Sherwood. 

Tuesday, 9th. Saw a good many rebels about Turkey Creek, 
Camped 30 miles from fort. 

Wednesday, 10th, Maj, P„ Capt. S., Capt, N, with 25 men 
came into the fort. Arrived about 2 P. M. Got supper at Mrs. Har- 
ris' — very kind. Other detachment came in. Several boys drunk, 

Friday, 12th. Issued clothing in the morning. Bathed, 
Marched in P. M. to Fort Lincoln. Took charge of 10 soldier 
prisoners, 

Saturday, 13th. Marched at daylight. Had a cold ride, chilled 
through. Reached Twin Springs in time for supper, before dark. 
Slept soundly under tent. Rained a little during the night, 

Sunday, 14th, Reveille at 4 and off a little before sunrise. 
Reached Spring Hill at 4 P. M. Charlie Ball and I went out to a 
house and got supper. Kept us till dark. Got cider, 

Monday, 15th, Reached the Kansas river about noon and got 
crossed before dark. Went five miles to the edge of the prairie and 
camped. Pleasant place. 



50 War Diary 

Tuesday, 16th, Went on as usual 18 miles and waited for the 
Major to meet us. Went in and camped between the fort and town. 
Went down to the Planters House for supper with Sergts. Love, 
Pierce and Archie. Had my hair cut. Went with Love to theatre. 
All the officers there. Play was Willow Copse. Very good, also a 
farce. 

(Fort Leavenworth) 

Wednesday, 17th, In the morning took the prisoners to the 
fort and hurried over to Col. Burris. Rode up to south part of 
town and found Cousin Austin's. Stayed to dinner. Had a good 
visit. Made me promise to call in the evening if we stayed in town. 
Went over in the evening. Lost my way. Found Mr. Buckingham 
of the Bulletin there. Read some of his letters for Augusta for the 
Baptist benefit. Augusta played on her guitar and sang, also on the 
piano. Enjoyed the evening very much indeed. Leona a very 
pretty girl. Had a lunch and apples, good feather bed. Had nice 
peach sauce. 

Thursday, 18th. After a good breakfast, cousin went up to 
camp with me. Officers gone. Went back to town and the Plant- 
ers. Introduced him to Capts. Seward and Welch. Went about 
town with him. Enjoyed all. Went to fort and helped in turning 
over property. In the evening went with Bill Porter and Nichols 
to theatre. Officers there, "Pizarro," Rolla played well. Wanted 
to go to Festival but dared not. 

Friday, 19th. Up at 4 A. M. Off on foot for the ferry at 7. 
Boys started with the Indian warwhoop. All in good cheer. Quite 
a long walk. Bid Kansas goodbye before noon and were off on hog 
cars at Weston. At St, Joseph got a lunch, pie, bread and ham. 
Got some hay. Bill and I fixed a bed. 34 in a freight car, all lay 
down, piled top of one another. 

Saturday, 20th. Reached the river about noon. After some 
delay were ferried over and marched to the cars. Then waited in 
a cold wind and occasional sleet for two hours, then marched 
through the town east to barracks. Got some coffee and hard bread. 
In the evening had a good fire. Most of the boys up town. Capt. 
invited me to Quincy House but preferred to stay in camp. Quincy 
a very neat town — city. 

Sunday, 21st. After cleaning up in the morning went up town 
with Brown. Promenade about the leading streets. Then left him 
and went to the 2nd Congregational Church and Sabbath School. 
Seemed very much like home but not so full and interesting. Heard 
a very practical sermon on the use of wealth. The congregation 
seemed very intelligent, aristocratic and up with the times. Seemed 
good to see some civilization again. Took dinner with A. B. at 
Quincy House. Wrote home. At 2 P, M, went to depot and loaded 
into freight cars. Off at 4 p. M, At Springfield at 9 P, M, Took 
passenger cars, 

Monday, 22nd, Arrived at Lafayette at 10 A, M. Went to a 
bakery for dinner. Pie and bread and butter. Remained till 2 



December, 1862 51 

p. M. Herb. Kenaston came aboard and went with us to Indian- 
apolis, Had a good visit with him, not much change. Told a pleas- 
ing incident about correspondence with Mary Dascomb, Arrived at 
Indianapolis at dark, only an hour or two delay. Lunch. 

Tuesday, 23rd. Arrived at Dayton at 2 A. M. Went into a 
hotel. Landlord very insolent. Turned down the gas on the Major. 
Major told him he was the meanest man he ever saw. He intimated 
that he was secesh. I told him to say he was half secesh and we 
would clean him out so soon he wouldn't know it. Kept the light 
burning. Boys stole a good many things. Went around Dayton a 
little. A very neat city. Liked it well but couldn't go the "Vallan- 
dighamism" of the place. Arrived at Columbus at 3 P. M. Re- 
mained with baggage to take care of Major's things. After dark 
when I got to camp, stayed with Bill. 

Wednesday, 24th. Went and saw the boys and Col. Abbey. 
Moved my things over to his quarters. Spent the day looking 
around and seeing the boys. In the evening wrote to Fannie An- 
drews. 

Thursday, 25th. Rather a quiet day for Christmas. Wonder 
how the folks at home have spent the day, happily I hope. Re- 
ceived a note through A. B. Went over and had a good visit with 
him. Told me some encouraging things. Not much faith ! In the 
evening wrote some. Saw Dwight Burrell. The day has been 
cloudy and damp. I have caught cold by some means. The air is 
getting colder this evening and the wind getting into the north. 
Washed up and changed my clothes. Where will another Christmas 
find me and the whole army? 

Friday, Dec. 28th, 1862, till Jan. 1st, 1863. Received and an- 
swered home letters. Kept at my old duties of Com. Sergt., not 
very arduous. Delos went home, having received a telegram that 
his presence was needed there. They had a real family gathering 
of friends from east, south and west. Came back the 31st and made 
us most homesick. Wrote a letter, a good one too, to Will, intend- 
ing to send it by C. G. F. but he did not let me know when he left, 
so I destroyed it, getting too old. 

Well, the year as a whole has passed much more rapidly and 
pleasantly than I anticipated a year ago. To be sure I never could 
be satisfied to spend a life in such service, still I have rather enjoyed 
the life I have been leading, because a sense of duty prompted me to 
it. My sufferings have been light indeed. 

Of one thing I am sure. Had I spent the year at home, though 
I would have enjoyed it much, I would have been a poor, frail, sickly 
boy longing for death to come quickly and suddenly. Nearly so I 
felt January last. I hoped that health would come quickly or that 
by the fate of war my life would be sacrificed. A lingering death 
I have always had a horror of. Even now did I know that my fate 
were to die of consumption 8 or 10 years hence or to be shot in 
battle in six months, I should prefer the latter I believe. In fact, I 
have no desire to live a frail dependent boy any length of time. I 



52 War Diary 

presume this feeling has influenced me greatly in going upon so 
many expeditions, when I have been where I need not have gone at 
all. I have felt that this time I can go as well as any one else and if 
I fall, the world loses nothing, if somebody else fell, the contrary. 
Still I never went where bullets were flying but I thought seriously 
of my past life, my preparation to die. Sometimes there would be a 
hesitation, but only for a minute. 

February, Independence. 

March, Platte City, Fort Scott. 

April, Carthage, Horse Creek, Neosho, Cowskin Prairie. 

May, Fort Scott, lola. 

June, On the march to Indian Territory. 

July, Cabin Creek. 

August, Fort Scott, Lone Jack. 

September, Springfield, Mo. 

October, Sarcoxie, Grandby, Newtonia, Coalbed. 

November, Arkansas, Pea Ridge, Bentonville, Maysville, The 
Mills, Osage Springs, Jones Mills, Fayetteville, Tannery, Boons- 
boro, Boston Mountains, Cane Hill. 

December, Fort Scott, Leavenworth, Ohio. 

JANUARY, 1863. 
Columbus, Ohio 

Jan. 1st. In Camp Chase. Charlie went home and D. R. H. 
returned to camp. Saw D. R. and John Devlin. Brought a note 
and stick of candy from home. 

2nd. Friday. Issued bread and beef. Read some. In the 
afternoon rode to town. Went up into the Senate and heard the 
big-bugs spout. Went to Quartermaster and selected some pants. 
Crabbed fellows. 

3rd. Saturday. Besides my daily work, did little. Took up 
checks and distributed them. Col. Abbey made me a present of a 
pair of government pantaloons. I was pleased with the kindness. 
Heard that Phoebe (Haynes) was in town. 

4th. Sunday. Stayed at home and read the Independent and 
newspapers. Passed the day very quietly. Wrote a letter home. 

5th. Monday, In the morning George Fairchild called. 
Pleasant visit. After my work Rob and I rode to the city. Took 
up my pants for stripes. Got me a vest. Called at Neil House. 
Phoebe not in. Sorry. Muddy, and I had a servant black my 
boots ! Rode back disconsolate and disappointed. 

6th. Delos returned from town and told me of his visit with 
his sister. Sent my regards and explanation. John got into the 
guard house for being away without a pass. R. and I went to Mr. 
Bateham's, met Libbie Kinney, Will Rice and sister, and Miss 
Cohen. Went to meeting in the evening, concert for prayer. 
Walked home. Letter from home, wanting me to come home. 



January, 1863 53 

7th. Wednesday. In the morning rode to town and took a 
teleg-ram for Lt. Abbey to his wife. Went and got Rob's boots and 
tried some on. Then rode back to camp again in time for supper. 

Jan. 8th. Thursday. Saw Delos a few minutes. Wrote to 
Fannie. Read some in "The Canoe and Saddle" by Winthrop. 
Don't like this as well as "John Brent." Commenced getting bread 
from baker of 2nd 0. V. C. (A. B. N. and Melissa Tenney married 
today.) 

9th. Friday. Got the rations up from the post Commissary, 
ready for issue the 10th. Was kept quite busy. Finished "Canoe 
and Saddle" and read in January Atlantic. 

10th. Saturday. Robinson and I issued rations for ten days. 
Col. Abbey went home on the morning train, also Dan Arnold. In 
the afternoon had baked beans. Capt. Nettleton returned. Left 
Melissa with his friends near Delaware. Charlie F. returned. 

11th. Sunday. Stayed at home again and read the Independ- 
ent and home letters telling of M.'s marriage. 

12th. Monday. Capt. N. called for me. Went into the house 
and stayed till noon, then went to the depot and met Melissa and 
S. R. N. Went with them to N.'s Aunt's. Plain people. Returned 
to camp and went down with boys to Mr. Rice's. Melissa there. 
Very good visit. Miss Cohen there, too. Libbie expects to go 
home Friday. (S. R. N. was Stiles Nettleton, brother of A. B. N.) 

13th. Tuesday. Spent the day very quietly at home. Worked 
as usual. Last night Chester treated to the oysters. Buglers ex- 
pect to be mustered out, very jubilant over it. Wrote a letter home. 

14th. Wednesday. Met D. R. in the morning. Gave me a let- 
ter from Ella Clark. Went over to Co. H. and read it to the boys. 
The best I ever received from her, I think. The boys seemed 
pleased and surely I was. 

15th. Thursday. The Buglers went down town and were mus- 
tered out, I was not there to get the promised oysters. The others 
did. D. and John called on Melissa. 

16th. Friday. After work went up town in the afternoon. 
Saw Melissa. Libbie was there. Had a good time. Rode back 
about dusk. Libbie has concluded to wait until I go home. Good 
for me. 

17th. Saturday. Tried to get my pass signed so as to get away 
Monday. Drew the rations from the post for the next ten days so 
as to get away. 

Jan. 18th. Sunday. In the afternoon rode to town to see Me- 
lissa. By invitation stayed to tea and then overnight. Had a first 
rate visit with Melissa during the evening and wrote a little to 
Theodore. Intended calling at Mr. Rice's, but Melissa promised to 
call and see Libbie. 

19th. Monday. Went to work early and got rations issued by 
noon. But I could not get my pass signed so as to leave. Got 
memoranda of all stores received and accounts at bakery and com- 
pared all accounts, which proved correct. 



54 War Diary 

20th. Tuesday. Got my pass and started in the rain. Called 
and told Libbie all ready. At 1 P. M. left with her for home. How 
good it seemed! Could hardly wait for the slow cars. Pleasant 
company. At home at 8 :30. W. N. and D. R. at depot. Found 
Minnie and John at our house. What a blessing to be home again. 

Oberlin, Ohio. 

21st. Wednesday, Stayed at home in the morning. D, R. 
called. Played a game of chess with Minnie. Saw Ellie. (Mrs. Al- 
bert Bushnell.) In the evening called on Fannie, the dear girl. 
What happiness for me, a poor soldier boy ! She has not changed 
much. The same beautiful, perfect creature of 15 months ago. 
Home at nine. 

22nd. Thursday. Had a good visit with Ma. In the afternoon 
met the "B. F." at Will's. Adjourned to Thursday lecture by Prof. 
Fairchild. Liked it well. In the evening called on Fannie. Home 
early with Ma. 

23rd. Friday. Minnie came down and played chess. In the 
evening met the boys at Fred's and had a very sociable time. Went 
to church and heard Fred play on the organ — good. 

24th. Saturday. Spent a portion of the afternoon at Fannie's. 
F. Henderson was there and we had a good time. Got home early 
and read in "Fantine" and visited with Ma. Read some in the 
February Atlantic. 

Jan. 25th. Sunday. Met M. at Infant Sunday School. Went 
to Sunday School with the girls, then to church. Pres. Finney 
preached. Made some hits about the new chapel. Afternoon sat 
alone and heard good Dr. Morgan. Minnie at our house to tea. 
After a nap went over to Mrs. Holtslander's. Apples, pears and 
cider. Went home with Minnie. Heard John relate about the 
Chaplain's sermons. 

Jan. 26th. Monday. In the morning read. At 1 P. M. went up 
town. Got chess and called at Fannie's — played some. F. Hender- 
son stopped in. Good visit — played on piano. Went to Young Peo- 
ple's meeting and enjoyed it much. Called on Libbie and played 
chess. Beat Hattie at checkers. Went to Minnie's. Had some nuts 
and heard Ellie and John play and sing. Rich treat. 

27th. Tuesday. After breakfast went up to prayer meeting. 
Met Minnie at the corner. Called with Minnie on Henry Lincoln, 
Prin. Fairchild, and Haynes. Went to the new house and then 
home. After a lunch played battledore and game of chess. W. N., 
F. D., and D. R. called, good time. Took tea with Fred. Charade 
party. F. D. A. and H., M. and J., Ella and Libbie acted Masquer- 
ade and Mendicant. Music. 

28th. Wednesday. Went to prayer meeting at nine. Had a 
nice fall at Goodrich's. Went to Minnie's and played chess. Ellie 
and Minnie came down. Played battledore. Good time. In the 
evening by invitation went to Libbie's. Small party. Had a very 
pleasant time. Pins and backgammon. Got home at 11, in bed 
by 12. 



February, 1863 55 

29th. Thursday. Went to Minnie's at nine. Found E. and M. 
about to go to the skating pond. Went as far as shop. No ice. 
Went down by the mill with E. Ice good. Called at Chester's, 
Bigelow's, Ella Clark's and French's, Mrs. Kenaston's and John- 
son's. In the evening saw Fannie. Went down to F. Henderson's. 
Bid F. goodbye at 9 :30 P. M. Hard. Found Theodore at Prof. El- 
lis's. Heard them sing awhile, then home. Bed at twelve. 

30th. Friday. Concluded to wait until 2 P. M. Called with 
Thede at Maria's, Fannie H. and Fannie A.'s and said goodbye. At 
two rode out to Cleveland. Time for Holland's lecture. Ma and T. 
came on train. Lecture on "Fashion." Very good. Visited with 
Uncle and Aunt. Thede went to the Bazaar. 

Jan. 31st. Saturday. We went to Camp Cleveland and saw the 
boys. Then to Auntie Jones' to dinner. Down to Alfred's, Mattie's 
and back to Uncle's. Then with Thede went to see Lizzie Cobb. 
Not at home. Called on Mrs. H. Cobb. A pleasant time. Off at 
6 :45. C. G. at the depot. Put up at the National for the night. 

FEBRUARY, 1863 

Columbus, Ohio 

1st. Went up to Melissa's after breakfast in the rain. N. 
there. Stayed to dinner. About 2 started out with N. in a drizzle 
for Camp Chase. Rather tires me walking. Enjoyed rehearsing 
my good visit home with Ma, F. and other friends. 

2nd. Got the rations up from the post and Okie (MacDowell) 
helped me issue them. Thede came down. Helped me clean up 
about the commissary. Felt rather tired when night came. Wrote 
two small sheets to Fannie and then retired. A cold night. 

3rd. Tuesday. Commenced taking care of my cream mare. 
Thede tried her gait. We cleaned her off nicely. Was kept quite 
busy all day straightening accounts in commis ary. A cold, chilly, 
piercing day. Suffered considerably. Seems good to have Thede 
with me. 

Tuesday, 4th. Let Thede go to town on my mare. Read "Tom 
Brown," Became quite interested. There seems so much reality 
in all the sports and tricks. In the evening went to tactic school 
at Co. K's quarters. Like it M^ell. 

5th. Continued the reading of "Tom Brown." The talk of 
consolidation is making the boys very much dissatisfied. There 
will be more deserters. In the evening recited my lesson. 

6th. Called at the captain's quarters. Told me Fannie Hudson 
was coming that day at noon. Am glad. Would I could see Will, 
too. 

7th. After my morning work, issuing bread and beef and 
tending to my horse, Thede went to town for the girls. Called at 
Capt. N.'s quarters in the P. M. to see them. Good time. No lesson 
in the evening, so many of the boys away at theatre. I went over 
to Chester's. Played checkers and dominoes. 



56 War Diary 

Sunday, 8th. Spent the day very quietly in camp. Finished 
"Tom Brown" and read some in "Sermons on the New Life," and 
in my Bible. Archie called for me to go to town with him, but I had 
some invoices, etc., to make out, so stayed in camp. 

9th. In the morning moved up to the commissary to make 
room for Lt. and Mrs. Abbey and child. Brougham came and I 
went to town with him in the evening. A lunch in town and then to 
Melissa's. Major P. and Reeve left for Kentucky. Met Brougham 
at 10 at Winard's and went to Mr. Crarey's for the night. 

10th. After breakfast we four started out to visit the peniten- 
tiary. Called at Mr, Rice's. Got Mary and Mrs. Hickox and went 
to the Asylum instead. Was deeply interested and affected. So 
many pretty and talented little creatures among the sufferers. Saw 
Fanny H. off at 1 P. M. Uncle dead. Went with Brougham to Peni- 
tentiary, then to camp for the night. Answered a good letter from 
Fannie. 

11th. After breakfast B, went with me to commissary and then 
to town. Drew and issued rations for ten days. Rained in the 
afternoon. Did the work alone. Thede went to town and brought 
me back Irving's "Life of Washington." Commenced it. Case in- 
quired about Thede enlisting in his company. 

12th. A dark and unpleasant day, rainy. Saw some of the 
boys and talked over the invitation to Mr. Rice's. Thede got the 
papers made out for muster. Had to get me to sign Ma's name al- 
lowing him to enlist, Covil examined Thede's head. Made it out a 
good one. Let him look at some writing. 

13th. When Chester came over we talked about going to Mr, 
Rice's in the evening and concluded we wouldn't go, so went over to 
Capt, N,'s and got him to give our regrets, etc. Saw the other boys 
before dark and none of them was going. I prefer staying in 
camp, a soldier's home. 

Saturday, 14th. Was kept quite busy in the forenoon, issuing 
bread and beef for two days. Thede got a pass from Capt. L, and 
left for a visit of a week at home. I wish I could be there with him. 
Home is dearer to me now than ever. Will God ever bring us all 
home on earth again? If not, may He in Heaven. 

15th. Thought some of going to camp, but concluded not to. 
Made some taffy and read some in "Ravenshoe." Called at Cap- 
tain's quarters and had a good visit. Seems lonely without Thede 
after being with him so constantly for a week or two. How hard it 
is for mother to be entirely alone. God bless her, 

16th. After breakfast exercised my horse a little bareback. 
Enjoyed it well, though it was hard work. Got her shod. Finished 
"Ravenshoe." Rather pleased with the story. Mud deeper than 
ever. A poor woman told us how she had $6.25 stolen from her. 
Has two little children, dependent upon her daily work. 

17th. After breakfast fixed up a little and went to town to see 
Melissa and get second volume of "Life of Washington." Received 
an excellent letter from the fair Rowena. In the P. M. and evening 



February, 1863 57 

wrote to Ella Clark and a little to Fannie. I like Ella Clark very 
much. She is talented and good and true, I guess. 

18th. After a late breakfast, at which John Devlin partook 
with me, and my morning work over, I finished my letter to Fannie 
and got out Cream to take letters to town, when I saw Chester 
homeward bound, so I stayed. Read in "Life of Washington" and 
played some at checkers. Received letters of Dec. 1 from home and 
F. Violins and guitar going in the evening in the Q. M. D. 

19th. Robertson came at 3 A. M. I got up and read Irving's 
"Life of Washington," Vol. 2. Bob brought me a nice little box to 
keep my things in. After my work read most all day. In the even- 
ing wrote to Sarah Felton and Fannie Henderson. Talked with a 
little girl begging and with our washerwoman. Has a hard time. 

20th. Brought up the rations from town. Got another volume 
of Irving. Met Capt. when coming back. Expecting Sarah Jewell. 
Oberlin boys came back over their furloughs one day. In the even- 
ing read till late. 

21st. In the morning we issued rations for eight days. Then 
cleaned out and chopped wood. Thede came bringing a line from 
home. Seemed to have had a good time. Glad to see him again. 
He will be a great deal of company for me. Fannie Turner came. 

22nd. Snowing in the morning and all day. Thede came over 
and stayed with us to breakfast, 10 A. M. During the day read 3rd 
volume of Irving. Stormed so I did not go to town. A year ago we 
had the little affair at Independence. Oh what a time in rain, snow 
and ice at Kansas City. 

23rd. Cleared off pleasantly. Busy in morning getting mem- 
orandum receipts of the stores for the month. Afternoon rode to 
town and beat Melissa at a game of chess. F. gone. Had a good 
time. Spent the evening. M. and N. went to theatre to hear Mac- 
beth. 

24th. The mail brought me three letters, one from Lucy, one 
from home and one from Fannie. All good and cheering. How 
much I prize my letters. Back and forth to Post Commissary. In 
the evening beat Capt. N. two games of chess. Read some. Fin- 
ished 4th Vol. Thede looks well in "sojer" clothes. 

Wednesday, 25th. After breakfast wrote to Fannie. Thede 
took the letter to town. Found tea, candles and coffee in McGuire's 
box — the thief. In evening at quartermaster's. Ate apples. Got 
beaten at four games of checkers. Read in Irving. Am rejoiced at 
the reaction against the Copperheads. God still rules. 

26th. In the morning came letters from Will Hudson at Leb- 
anon, and one of Nov. from home. Had quite a visit with Lt. Ab- 
bey about Pa. In the evening took my letters from Fred and Will 
and reviewed them with Charlie. Played four games of chess with 
McAulis. Beat three times. Finished the "Life of Washington." 
Had some taffy. 

27th. After breakfast played two games of chess with Case. 
Got beaten. Ordered to move to Covington immediately, then coun- 



58 War Diary 

termanded. Wrote to the boy William. God bless him and lead 
him. Thede came over. Went down and looked at a horse he 
thought of taking. Read in Scott's "Waverly." Music in Q. M. D. 
28th. Got up the rations and issued for ten days. Overlifted 
and strained my back and sides, makes me lame. After we got 
through I cleaned up. Charlie Crarey came down, got all the busi- 
ness straightened up, thinking I would go home Monday morning. 



MARCH, 1863 

1st. Stayed at home in the morning. Snow. Chester came in. 
Made a little taffy and ate apples. Read the Independent and Cin- 
cinnati Commercial. Col. Abbey was in and told his usual number 
of stories. Knew Pa well. Wrote a short letter home. 

2nd. Helped about the meat and bread. My back gets worse. 
Mason has given me some liniment which he warrants sure cure. 
Invited to Mr, Rice's. Charles, Tully, and Theodore went. M. and 
I couldn't. Commenced a letter to Fannie Andrews and wrote a 
short letter to Fred. 

3rd. The Convention of Govs, took place. I was too lame to 
venture out. It stormed awfully, snow and rain, and the boys suf- 
fered considerably. 2nd Ohio out en masse, as escort. No letter 
from Fannie. Finished her letter and wrote to Lucy Randall. 
Played checkers with McAulis. 

4th. After the work in the morning repaired to headquarters 
and heard Andy Johnson of Tennessee and Gov. Wright of Indiana. 
Both spoke well, said much to encourage us soldiers and discourage 
traitors. Received good letters from Sarah Felton, Ella Clark and 
home. Went over to see Charlie. Wrote a line to Delos. 

5th. My back quite well. Not much going on during the day. 
In the evening the boys mostly went out to town and mobbed the 
''Crisis''^ and then went to the "Statesman" but did no damage. 
Medary and the press were in Cincinnati. The boys carried off all 
the books, etc., they could find. 
^'^ 6th. In the morning the colonel called the officers together and 

stated in tears that he should resign if the thing were not ferreted 
out. I was in Case's tent. C. and H. burned their property. Offi- 
cers feigned a search but found nothing. In the evening officers 
held a meeting and passed resolutions. Medary received at the cars 
by democrats. 

Note — The episode briefly referred to under date of March 5, 1863, was of 
this nature: At that time Samuel Medary, formerly a state ofl^cial of con- 
siderable prominence, was conducting a weekly newspaper called "The Crisis" 
at Columbus. This periodical was perhaps the most bitter and dangerous and 
disloyal "Copperhead" sheet published in the North. Its utterances distinctly 
encouraged the Rebellion, instigated desertions of Union soldiers and thus pro- 
moted disunion, prolonged the war and increased the slaughter of Union 
troops. On the night of March 5th, a considerable number of Second Ohio 
boys mysteriously got through the guard line of the Camp Chase encampment, 
went quietly down town, threw out pickets for protection from the police, en- 
tered "The Crisis" office and thoroughly gutted it, throwing the type, presses, 



March, 1863 59 

Saturday, 7th. Finished my letter to Ella, Col. Abbey went to 
town and sent a barrel of flour to mother. Good. A Democratic 
mass meeting to consider the best way for democrats to protect 
their property. Finished "Mistress and Maid." 

8th. Spent the day in camp. Thede came over and we made 
a little sugar candy. Read some in "Currents and Countercur- 
rents," by 0. W. Holmes. Wanted to read Motley, but Charlie had 
sent the book back home. Thede and I wished we could be at home 
two or three hours. A dark and cloudy day. 

9th. Melissa sent word that she was going on the P. M. 
train. So I rode up and bade her goodbye on the cars. Seemed sad 
to have her go. Have enjoyed having her here so much. Thede 
got a letter from home. Sent a letter to Ma. Roast beef for sup- 
per. Went down and saw the boys in the evening. 

10th, After breakfast got up the rations and got shaved. 
Read some in the Ledger. Bought some maple sugar. Took a little 
down to Thede. In the evening wrote to Sarah Felton and a little 
to Fannie, Got a good letter from Minnie and Mother. Checkers 
with Mason and Mac. 

11th. After getting up beef and bread, issued rations for 10 
days. Drove round in wagon and distributed the potatoes. Through 
in good season. In the evening played checkers and finished my 
letter to Fannie. Received a good letter from her, also one from 
Frederick. 

12th. Capt. Nettleton called and gave me a line from home 
and told me about his visit. Read two or three good lectures in 
"Currents and Countercurrents." Went down to Co. H in the 
evening. Visited with the boys, 

13th, The Capt. called and asked me to join his school. Got a 
book and went over in the evening. Then had some maple sugar. 
Washwoman came in. Pity the poor woman. Her husband has 
returned and I fear will cause her trouble. 

14th, Robinson went home to make a chest for H, quarters. 
Went over to Capt, N.'s and saw T. E. Davis, Morey, E. W. and Joe 
Dewey. A letter from Major Purington inquiring about his papers. 
Got them out and commenced work. Covil said he would do it if 
I would help him. Evening attended class. 

15th. After the morning work was done, bathed all over, 
Thede and Lu Emmons came in and stayed some time. Wrote a 
line to Major Purington and a letter to Cousin Augusta Austin. 
Read an excellent sermon in the Independent on the difl'erences be- 
tween the good and bad. Day passed very quietly. 

16th. Theodore was over awhile after the morning work. 



paper, etc., out of the back windows into the Scioto River. Then as quietly 
as they came they returned to camp, still unobserved by the sentinels on guard 
at camp, and went to bed. As mentioned in the subsequent entries in the 
diary, it proved impracticable to identify any of the participants and nobody 
was punished. \The then Colonel of the Regiment, August V. Kautz of the 
Regular Army, and a son-in-law of then Governor Tod, was naturally greatly' 
wrought up over the circumstance. — A. B. N. 



60 War Diary 

Good visit, letter from home. After class in the evening played two 
games of chess with Chester. One draw game and beat him once. 

17th. Day passed very quietly, like others. Soon Camp Chase 
will be very pleasant, as soon as the sun comes out and dries up the 
mud. More orders to march, I believe. No arms yet. Some talk 
that we will be kept in the state to help enforce the coming draft. 
Boys would like to go at the "Crisis" again. 

Wednesday, 18th. Day passed about as usual. In the morn- 
ing answered Fannie's letter. In the evening at class and at chess 
with Capt. and Case. Washerwoman was out. I pity the poor lab- 
orer for her daily bread and two poor little children. God help the 
poor in these times. 

19th. In the morning cared for Rowena and gave out the 
bread. Read "Thirteen Months in the Rebel Service" by Stevenson, 
very interesting. No lesson in the evening. Capt. and Lt. Case 
gone home. Studied mine but did not care much about reciting. 
Wish I could go home now, too. 

20th. Issued bread and beef after breakfast. Then got up ra- 
tions to issue for the remainder of the month. No lesson again. 
Read some and played checkers. C. G. slept with me last night and 
did not wake up, so has had to work all day. He received a letter 
from Fred. 

21st. John Devlin went down to Oberlin without a pass. Will 
probably be punished. Took a letter for C. G. and brought another 
from Fred which C. G. showed to me. Both good. Issued rations 
for 11 days. After going round with potatoes, felt rather tired. 
A sore toe, miserable corn. 

22nd. After morning work, Sergts. Drake and Arnold and 
Capt. Tod and I rode down to Alton. Very pleasant. Drake is a 
good boy. Seems to have a heart. After dinner saw Col. Ratliff 
and got permission to go home three days. Oh what a happy boy. 
How good it will seem to see Ma and girls and F. Thede has a 
pass, too. C. G. and Tully (Norton) rode to town with us. Stayed 
at the National. 

23rd. Awakened at 3:30 A. M. Off at 4 A. M. Reached Ober- 
lin at 9:15. So good to see the dear friends. Minnie and Ellie 
came down. At 11 started for Elyria with Delos. Very muddy. 
Took dinner with Floy. Aunt Mary looking well, pretty little baby. 
At 8:15 saw Fannie, the dear girl, good child! Home a little after 
ten. How hard to return to camp again. 

24th. In the morning did some errands. Played chess with 
Thede and Melissa. Oysters for supper. Thede goes back tonight. 
I could see he dreads it — so do we. In the evening went to N. P. 
(North Professor street — Fannie Andrews' home). Had such a 
good visit. Called at N. P. 2 a few minutes. (Fannie Henderson's 
home.) Had a pleasant tete-a-tete with F. The more I see her, the 
greater is my love and admiration. Called on Fred and Fairchild. 
Thede returned to camp. Pictures. Sweet Home ! 

25th. After reading some in the morning, went down to Min- 
nie's. Heard Ellie sing. Beat Minnie a game of chess. John beat 



April, 1863 61 

me twice. Stayed to dinner. Did some chores and went down 
N. P. in the evening. Read and visited. Happy enough. How glor- 
ious it will be when war ceases, we victors and peace comes again. 
F. sang so sweetly. 

26th. In the morning played battledore with Melissa. Scored 
711 and 637. Made us feel large. D. R. and C. G. who came in last 
night, were down an hour or two. Went to town. Met Minnie. 
Called on Lucy Randall at the store, then at Mr. Fairchild's and at 
Mr. Lincoln's door. C. G. and I went to F. A.'s F. H. came up. 
They played for us. Said goodbye all around. Left at 6:30 with 
C. G. and Mrs. Norton. Tried to be cheerful. 

27th. Got into Columbus at 1. After a cup of coffee and lunch, 
walked out to camp. Delivered letters and packages. Wrote hastily 
to Fannie. Commenced instruction on Outpost and Picket. Got a 
lesson and recited in the evening. Read some in "Guide to the 
Savior." My heart received new life in my visit home with F. and 
Mother. So anxious for us to do well. May we not disappoint 
them. 

28th. Tended Rowena, my saddle mare, and got rations from 
the Post Commissary. About noon Bob came. Glad to be relieved. 
Letters from Lucy R., Ella Clark and Sarah Felton. All very good 
and quite acceptable. In the evening went to class. After it, beat 
Capt. N. three games of chess. Boiled eggs. Sleeked up the com- 
missary for Sunday and chopped wood. Unusual. 

29th. After breakfast cleaned up and changed my clothes. 
Thede brought a note from home through Tully. Got a lesson and 
recited to Capt. N. Our new Chaplain, Brown, has been very busy 
visiting the companies. Hope he may do much good. How we need 
some religious influence. I long for a closer walk with God. Read 
Independent and "Guide to the Savior." 

30th. After issuing the bread and beef went to Columbus with 
Chester. It was a delightful ride, the air so mild and warm. Went 
to the Blind Asylum to see about a collar. Went to a bookstore and 
bought "Les Miserables." Got back about 5. Studied and recited 
lesson in evening. After recitation wrote to Lucy Randall. I pity 
the poor girl. She has the dark side of life. 

31st. Got up rations for the next issue. Read some in "Coun- 
try Living and Country Thinking," by Gail Hamilton. Was par- 
ticularly interested in "Men and Women," a good deal of sense and 
truth. In the evening wrote to Ella Clark. 



APRIL, 1863 

1st. After breakfast and morning work, issued rations. Then 
cleaned up nicely. Practiced my horse some at jumping. Is. learn- 
ing nicely. Read some in Gail Hamilton and "Les Miserables." In 
the evening attended class at Co. H and wrote to Fred Allen. 

2nd. After issuing bread, got out Rowena and tried her at 
jumping. Did first rate. Charlie came over and read me Delos' 




ft d 
w 



64 War Diary 

Journal, Enjoyed it well. In the evening attended class and played 
three games of chess. Was beaten once and beat twice. 

3rd. Rumor about camp that we will leave Monday. We are 
ready. Arms have come and good ones, too, I guess. Received and 
answered letters from home and good Fannie. Did me good. No 
school in the evening so stayed at home and wrote. Snowed in the 
morning. Pleasant afternoon. 

4th. Went up for the bread and beef. Visited the barber shop. 
Sleeked up. Examined our new arms. Like them well. We ought 
to be able to accomplish something with them. At school in the 
evening. A. B. has telegraphed for Melissa. Hope she can come 
tonight. He goes to town. Beat and was beaten one game of chess. 

5th. Orders for our Battalion to move today to Cincinnati. 
Received orders to go along a little while before starting. Went up 
with the Battalion. Drew my pay. Went and called on Sister Me- 
lissa in P. M. and evening. Sent $125 home. Wrote to Fannie and 
home. Left on the cars at eight. Rather tiresome ride. All glad 
to go into the field but sad at leaving again. 

Monday, 6th. Got into Cincinnati at 8 A. M. Stopped a mile 
from the depot. Watered and fed horses. Then marched down 
town to the market. Dismounted and were given a very good din- 
ner and breakfast. Election in the city. Crossed the river and 
passed through Covington to the barracks. Dod and I stayed at the 
stables in an old building. 

7th. After doing stable duty, went up to Co. H and got some 
ham, bread and coffee. Read the morning paper and wrote to De- 
los. A little after noon received orders to march. Fed, packed up 
and marched down to the boat. Saw Al Bushnell. Other battalion 
along. Took supper with Capt. Stewart on the boat. Had a berth 
with A. B. Good sleep. 

(Ohio River) 

8th. Had a very pleasant morning ride up the smooth, glassy 
water in the sunshine. Reached Maysville at nine. The people re- 
ceived us with open arms. All seemed very hospitable. Waved 
handkerchiefs and flags and invited the boys to breakfast. Never 
were treated so well before. Took dinner at hotel with Thede and 
Burt. Horse at stable. Marched at two. Rode with Drake. Had 
a very pleasant visit with him. Beautiful rolling country, grass 
green. Encamped at Lewiston, 7 miles from Maysville. Slept out 
with Drake. Cooked ham and made tea for supper. Many boys 
and ofificers drunk. 

9th. A little after sunrise, went to breakfast at a private 
house. So many slaves about here, more than white folks by far. 
Started on at 8 P. M. After nine miles passed through Flemings- 
burg. Men, women and children were out with flags and handker- 
chiefs. It did our hearts good. Passed through Tilton. Drake and 
I stopped at a house and got dinner. Went on to Sherburne and 
camped. Chamberlain got thrown and hurt badly. Got wagon for 
the boys. 



April, 1863 65 

10th. Renewed our march soon after sunrise. Got some bis- 
cuit for lunch. Drake and I rode together some again. Got into 
Sharpsburg a little after noon. We of the commissary put our 
horses in a shed and slept in a hayloft. Issued one day's rations. 
Such a green Com., never saw. Ate supper at a sound Union fam- 
ily's Hart's. Sarah very pretty little girl. Saw quite a scene at the 
hotel about a slave. Four or five girls crying. 

11th. Left town soon after breakfast. Two negro slaves were 
snatched from the horses — oh how shameful! Am glad I did not 
witness the scene. Afterwards several such incidents transpired. 
How shocking. Major Burnett delivered up one on the word of two 
Ky. officers. Met the Third Batt. at Mount Sterling. Very pretty 
country all the way. Letters from Fannie, Will and Fred. Wrote 
to F. Chaplain at supper. Drake most sick. 

12th. After breakfast, Col. (Abbey) and I got a team and rode 
horseback to town for rations — got 3 days' rations. These troops 
from the Potomac never received any company savings. Marched 
at noon after giving rations. Ordered to Stanford, 50 miles south 
of Lexington. Reached Winchester about dark. Got some eggs and 
biscuit. A darkey came in and had a good visit. Intelligent though 
uneducated. 

13th. Ordered to remain here at present. Prospect of staying 
in *'Sturges's" division in east Ky. Don't like him on account of Mo. 
notoriety. After breakfast cleaned up my revolvers and loaded 
them. After noon, wrote home and went down town. Pitched 
quoits over at Co. H. Charlie came over and we reviewed old letters 
of mine. jSaw the boys gamble. One little 15-year-old had $120 won. 

Kentucky 

14th. Ordered on to Stanford. Started right away after 
breakfast. Passed many large massive residences along the road. 
Excellent fences and beautiful farms. Saw a great many negroes, 
generally well dressed, but very wishful. Drew and issued rations 
at Lexington in the evening. Saw West Hospital. Rode through 
the city, twelve or fifteen thousand. H. Clay's monument, 150 ft. 
high. 

15th. Rainy during the night and drizzling in the morning. 
Went on, leaving the teams. Drew ammunition. Rode along some 
with A, B. then with Chester. Passed through Nicholasville and 
Lancaster. Crossed the Kentucky River. Mountains for several 
miles. Grand scenery. Reminded me of the Alleghanies. Reached 
Stanford, 45 miles, about 10 P. M. Went on two miles. 

16th. Got up and foraged eggs for myself and oats for my 
horse. Box gone. Team tipped over last night three times. Very 
dark. Slept with Thede. 103rd camped near by. Many boys came 
over, seemed good to see them. Issued beef. Boiled beef and had 
tea, crackers and gingerbread for supper. Like old times. Thede 
and Charlie on picket. Occupied their tent alone. Wrote to Sarah 
Felton. 



66 War Diary 

17th. In the morning got breakfast and brushed my clothes. 
Went to town with the Lt. to get five days' rations. Saw Gen. Car- 
ter, a man slightly gray, whiskers and a good kind look. Took 
dinner on Co.'s account. 3rd Battalion came in. Saw Bob. Issued 
rations before dark. Wrote to Fannie in the evening. Ordered to 
march to Somerset at 10. Up till 2 A. M. Then slept again till 
morning. 

18th. Got started at sunrise. Rode along with Drake a good 
deal of the way. Had to leave some rations. Met a messenger for 
more forces. Fear of rebels crossing the Cumberland. Very warm 
and sultry at noon. We stopped twice and napped. Very rough 
and sterile country. Houses deserted generally. Got into camp 
at sundown. Slept with Thede and C. G. Had a good visit with 
Henry Drake on religion. Did me good. 

19th. Train stopped back twelve miles. No grain or feed for 
our poor horses. Ordered to march at 11. Train arrived at noon. 
Got rations and started. Took a good bath. All the forces, 1st Ky., 
2nd Ohio and 45th Ohio moved to the Cumberland. Pickets could 
be distinctly seen across the river. Rode with Lt. Abbey, and 
Drake. Got some forage. Moved camp. Went to church in the 
evening. A chaplain preached. Rather tired tonight. 

20th. Passed the day very quietly in camp. Took my washing 
over to a house. Called at large white house to see if we could get 
a beef creature. Made a good many inquiries. Got shaved by one 
of the boys. The day has been very warm. The train brought in a 
good supply of forage. Everything passing quietly at camp. 

21st. Took my horse out to graze in the morning. A good long 
letter from Fannie. Saw Delos' journal. Ordered out on a recon- 
noissance. Went to the river. Major P. and several of us went 
down the bank about two miles. Pickets visible. Quite romantic, 
a narrow path between deep river and high perpendicular bluffs. 
In the evening wrote to Fannie. Have been happy all day. 

Wednesday, 22nd. Finished Fannie's letter and mailed it. 
Pitched quoits awhile with Charlie Fairchild. Read in an old At- 
lantic. "Old Age and Hundred Days in Mo." Boys went out and 
got a beef from 1st Ky. Issued rations from what we had. Re- 
ceived some from 3rd Battalion. Stayed out doors till tattoo. Com- 
menced raining. Wrote a letter home. Got a Cincinnati paper of 
the 20th. 

23rd. In the morning Dod killed the beef. Issued some ra- 
tions. Received letters from home and Lucy Randall, also one from 
Charlie Crandall. Does me good to hear of him, an old schoolmate. 
Pitched quoits with Henry Drake. In the evening played three 
games of chess with Capt. Nettleton, all success. 

24th. After breakfast had a visit with Henry Drake. Exam- 
ination for commissions. Henry went in. None in before allowed. 
A very pleasant day. About noon rations came. Issued in the 
P. M. A little slave child buried. Exercises by the chaplain. 
Serious thoughts. An immortal soul gone out of a poor slave. 



May, 1863 67 

Wrote to Will in the evening. Read Independent. Letter from 
home. 

25th. Played chess with Chester. One game ahead. Was 
down to see Charlie, writing to Will Hudson. Mr. Brown preached 
in the evening at the church. Read Fantine in "Les Miserables." 
Much more interested than at first. Splendid. In the evening 
wrote to Delos. This is his birthday, "B. F." anniversary. 

26th. Spent the morning cleaning up the tent clothes and 
boots. At 11 A, M. went to hear Mr. Brown preach. Was much 
pleased. Quite disappointed. My only objection was that I had 
seen him smoke. Read some in Independent. Orders to march at 
daybreak, so went to bed rather early. 

27th. Up at 4 and an early breakfast in anticipation of march- 
ing. Infantry came in a little before noon. Saw Wattle. Got din- 
ner and then started. Bob, Col. A. and I went. Covil and Dod 
stayed. Marched by way of "Fishing Creek." Very high banks. 
Country quite mountainous. Fun to see the infantry fording. En- 
camped at 16 miles. Got a ham and had tea and crackers. Rained 
in the night. 

28th. Up at daylight, breakfasted, fed and started on at 6. 
Gen. Carter passed by. Went but two miles and waited an hour or 
two. River not fordable. Returned and bivouacked on the ground 
of the night before. Went out foraging corn, hay, and cornbread 
and milk. Saw two idiots. Rained again. Got somewhat wet. 
Two of the 2nd 0. V. C. companies on picket. 

29th. Went out for oats. After breakfast started back to Som- 
erset. Let our horses eat and then followed. Drake, Ritter, Bob 
and I stopped half way and got a cup of tea. Found reinforcements 
at S. Issued pork. No mail for me. "H," "E," and "M" ordered 
over the river. In the evening got my coat fixed — mended. Got my 
washing. Wrote to Fannie. 

30th. After breakfast, mustered. Issued two days' rations. 
Lt. Abbey started for Stanford for rations. Bob, Ritter and I 
overtook the column five miles from Mills Springs. 103rd, 27th 
N. J., 112th 111. crossed at the upper ford. Commenced crossing at 
Mills Springs at 10 A. M, Unsaddled and got tea. Skirmishing 
over the river. Saddled up and hastened to the river by order. 
Swam the horses, ferried the men. Amusing to see the horses. 
Several drowned. Hard to get them across. Lay down on the 
bank. So much noise, could not sleep much. Crossing all night. 
Fannie's birthday (nineteen). 

MAY, 1863 

1st. Commenced moving across at 4 and all the regiments 
over by 9 A. M. Some fortifications on both sides of the river; 
Zollicofi'er's old huts still there. Moved on and overtook the 1st 
Battalion at Monticello. H, E, M in advance of column continually. 
Skirmishing. Four miles beyond M. found the rebels in force on 
two roads leading to Albany and Traversville. Howitzers, 1st. Ky., 



68 War Diary 

45th 0. V. I. on the Albany roads, 2nd 0. V. C. on Traversville, In 
line near the woods. Co. D dismounted to fight on foot. Rebels 
broke. Pike fired 5 rounds at them, 500 or 600 yards, wounding 
some. Gave my canteen to one wounded man. Pursued two or 
three miles, ordered back. Several prisoners. Ate supper where 
one wounded 1st Tennessee man was, Andrew Johnson. Marched 
back to Monticello. 

2nd. Major Purington ordered on a scout with 150 men to- 
wards Traversville. 7th on the Albany road, I went along. Learned 
there were 900 rebels in the fight yesterday. Cheke among them. 
Went to a house and saw another wounded man, wounded in the 
charge near Monticello, hit in thigh. Rode four to eight miles, leg 
bleeding, Arthur Brannon of Lebanon, Ky., Shewarth's Regt., 
wished the war had never commenced, still willing to fight. Cit- 
izens represented nearly 100 wounded. All demoralized. Officers 
could not get them to stand ground. Got into camp at 8 P. M. 
Rained during the night. I got wet enough. 

Sunday, 3rd. Wet and muddy, disagreeable. Went to Post 
Commissary and drew rations, 948. Issued to the men in the P. M. 
Mr. Brown came, bringing the mail. Two letters for me, one from 
Fannie and one from home. Both did me much good. Fixed up 
our oilcloth as a tent. Thought it very nice. At dark a thunder- 
storm arose. Had a candle to read by. Soon discovered a stream 
ran through the tent. Blankets wet — soaked and half suffocated. 
Rebels gone to Traversville. 

4th. Sky clear and sun roasting. Blankets steaming. All felt 
miserable, so wet and such a dreamy sleep. "Boots and saddles" 
before breakfast. Went to commissary for rations. Could get 
none. Whole cavalry force went out, some on each road. When at 
Otter creek learned that the rebels had left Traversville and gone 
to Jamestown, bound for Knoxville. Turned back, heavy thunder 
shower. Wet through in places. Got forage. Got supper and slept 
just inside of our lines. Slept on a porch. 

5th. Rode into camp bright and early. Made a tent again and 
got some coffee. Cloudy and dark. Got dinner at a wealthy plant- 
er's. We were all disgusted, so much superficiality. So little soul 
or mind. Marched towards the river. Ordered back to Somerset. 
Various reasons given. Many speculations. Got rations after 
stopping for night. Went two and a half miles and dealt with 
drunken Lt. Was angry and threatened him. 

Kentucky 

6th. Reached the ford at Waitsboro at noon. Troops were 
crossing. One boatload of 27th N. J. drowned, 32 persons, Capt. 
Alexander. Pitiful sight. Camped on the hill. Rainy and chilly. 
Issued about half rations. Saw an old lady, "Aunt Betsy," 115 
years old, good mind and good heart. Enjoyed hearing her talk. 
Rheumatism, ready to die when God calls. 

7th. Weather still bad. After breakfast ordered to the river. 
No chance for us today to cross. By orders of Col. Kautz, I went 



May, 1863 69 

to the Div. train and helped myself to one day's rations. Lt. 
crossed over. Robinson, Drake and I got permission to swim our 
horses and cross. Saddled and went round by the river road to 
avoid pickets. Glad to get back into a dry bed again. 

Friday, 8th. Clear but uncomfortably warm. The regt. came 
in during the day. Issued four days' rations in the morning. Con- 
flicting reports about a battle on the Potomac. Hooker whipped! 
Richmond taken ! etc. All very anxious to get reliable news. Col. 
Miner in camp. Received no letters from home and Fannie. Wrote 
in the evening. 

9th. Killed beef for Sunday. Read considerably in "Les Mis- 
erables." Reviewed "Fantine." Never read a book which con- 
tained so much truth and sense on every page. Rob and I took a 
good bath and changed our clothes. Wrote home. 

10th. Issued beef in the morning. After cleaning up and in- 
spection, Mr. Brown preached. Small audience but good sermon. 
Psalms 2-11. He seems to study his sermons. Took dinner with 
Capt. Nettleton and Lt. Case at a widow's in town. Very genteel 
and pretty lady. Read. Went to the woods and let Rowena graze. 

11th. Issued five days' rations in the morning. Watched the 
boys play chess. Had a good visit with Thede and Charley. News 
in papers a little more encouraging. In the evening heard Co. H 
boys sing. Enjoyed it much. Capt. Nettleton and Col. Ratliffe told 
me some news. 

12th. Sent a letter to Minnie. Played chess with Chester and 
Lt. Case, on the whole did well. Short talk with Bushnell. Could 
have done better in Arkansas. Let our horses into a field to graze. 
Read the Commercial of the 10th, some in Gazette. Drove up a 
beef from town. 

13th. Took our horses out. Issued beef. Cleaned up and went 
over to town. Col. Abbey bought me a good woolen hat. John Rit- 
ter moved over to town — Div. saddler — good place. Took Thede 
some cheese. Diarrhoea. Sorry. Played chess with A. B. — got 
the worse. Rainy evening. No letters. 

14th. Went down to H Co. after morning work and played 
chess. Beat Capt. N. three times and John Devlin four times. 
Cleaned up my revolvers. Col. Abbey appointed acting Brigade 
Com. Says Thede can be detailed here. Good. He has been sick 
with diarrhoea. Getting a little better. In evening read in "Les 
Miserables." Has been a pleasant day. Girl of McGuire's buried 
today. Alarmed last night. Morgan coming. 

15th. Theodore brought over a letter from Melissa. Good. 
Reported this morning for duty. I am glad we can be together. 
We now belong to the 1st Cav. Brig. 4th Div. 23rd Army Corps. 
Another beautiful day. Morgan expected. Thede and Dod got two 
beef creatures and butchered. Wrote a letter to Minnie. Read 
some in Victor Hugo. 

16th. Played at chess in the morning with Chester and Case. 
Co. returned from scouting. About noon rations came. Issued to 



70 War Diary 

the boys. Rushed them through rapidly. Had a shave and spent 
the evening in quarters. Read the Cincinnati Commercial. Wrote 
to Lucy Randall and Fred Allen. 

17th. In the morning, Rob, Thede and I went to the creek and 
took a bath and changed clothes. Read some in "Guide to the 
Savior." At 5 P. M. Mr. Brown preached from ''And shew thyself 
a man." The companies were out. Gen. Carter and staff were 
present. Good sermon. Letters from home and Fannie. 

Monday, 18th. Got Victor Hugo and finished it. An interest- 
ing and profitable work, a few exceptions. Capt. Hayes and A. B. 
called a little while. Gave them some pickles and H. bread and 
butter. In the evening wrote to Fannie. A delightful day. What 
a blessing, such weather and good health. Thede has a troublesome 
boil. 

19th. Finished a letter. Henry Drake brought me a letter 
from Will Hudson. Good but rather discouraging. Beat Capt. Net- 
tleton at two games of chess. Horse shod. Mike took him out to 
graze. Put up a fly for commissary. Read the Lorain News and 
also Herald. Compliment to Case. Favorable news from Grant, 
Jackson and Alexandria Banks. 

20th. After breakfast Mike and I took out the horses to graze. 
Went with Co. G. Took a book along to read, "The Slave Power," 
by Cairnes. Very sensible. Got dinner at a house. Avoided the 
order by having dinner on the porch. Returned about 3 P. M. 
Mike got a chicken. An excellent letter from Sarah Felton. 

21st. Played some chess with Thede. Beat Chester two 
games. Thede and I one apiece. In the afternoon issued rations 
of sugar and coffee. Pork, bread and beef in the evening. In the 
evening two papers came, hidependent. Commenced letter to 
Sarah. 

22nd. After breakfast sleeked up. Charlie blacked my boots. 
Bill shaved me. Played two games of chess with Capt. N. Even 
games. Wrote to Sarah. Received two papers. Very warm day — 
uncomfortable. Major Purington's horse died. Seems to have very 
bad luck. 

23rd. Drew rations for the 7th Ohio. Got rations over for 
the remainder of the month. Potatoes and beans. Thede went out 
a mile or so with the horses and came back used up. Looks miser- 
able. Eyes glaring and face emaciated. Made me frightened. Had 
the doctor look at him. Gave some rhubarb, uneasy during the 
night, cramps. Slept with him. Wrote to Fannie. 

24th. In the morning early issued potatoes and beef. Thede 
felt a little better. After breakfast got water and helped him bathe. 
Bathed myself and changed clothes. Read Indeq)e7idents and Con- 
gregationalist. Word that chaplain would preach at 5 p. m. but 
ne'er a sermon. Report came that Grant had defeated Pemberton. 
Wrote home. Made thickened milk. Slept with Thede. 

25th. After breakfast, just as most of the Cos. had started to 
graze, word came that rebels were crossing at Fisher's Creek in 



June, 1863 71 

force and had captured pickets, "Boots and Saddles" sounded and 
we were soon under way for the ford. Issued rations first. Rebels 
gone. Followed trail some distance and rested at the Brewery. 
Got back into camp before dark. Got some supper. Cleaned my 
horse. Wrote a little and retired. 

26th. Charlie came over in the morning. Finished letters 
home and to Fannie A. Yesterday was birthday of Fred Allen. 
Wrote him a congratulatory letter according to program. Rode 
over to town with the letters. Letter from home — Minnie. 

27th. In the morning Rob went over to town with his Charlie. 
I believe he has said that he would prefer to give up a hope in 
Heaven rather than the horse. In the afternoon I took my boots 
over to town to get them repaired. Went for them in the evening. 

28th. Spent the day in camp as usual. Read May Ballon. 
Some good things and some silly. In the evening felt quite aguey. 

29th. Felt quite feverish in the morning. Afternoon, light at- 
tack of ague. Felt miserable all day. Got badly beaten at chess in 
the morning by Chester. Spent a very restless night. Sore, head- 
ache and uneasy every way. Thede very kindly did my work. Col. 
Kautz went out with 450 men. Aggravating. 

30th. Rained last night. Eleven prisoners came in at 9 A. M. 
Pickets captured. Soon after 22 others. Kautz went to the forks 
before halting. Crossed at 2 A. M. and hastened towards Monticello, 
sending Detachments to the different fords to capture pickets. "E" 
and "C" covered the retreat. Skirmished a good deal. 20 to 40 
rounds. I feel about the same, quite feverish and chilly at times. 

31st. Felt better and got up to breakfast. Cleaned up and 
rode to water with Thede. Capt. N. has been quite sick for several 
days, bowel complaint principally. Thede called on him. C. G. 
came over. Walked a little. Wrote a few lines to Fred. Read the 
Congregationalwt. Chaplain preached in the evening. Frequent 
thunder showers. 

JUNE, 1863 

Monday, 1st. Ration day. After breakfast and morning work, 
we went at it. Hereafter to have fresh beef every day. Pontoon 
train arrived in P. M. indicating a forward move. Talk of pay; 
order reducing of baggage to 30 lb. Capt. Nettleton sick. Com- 
menced a letter to Fannie. 

2nd. Saw the Capt. again and got permission to write to Me- 
lissa. Wrote short letter, did not feel very well myself. Sent let- 
ters to Melissa, Fannie and Sarah Felton. I believe 9th Army Regts. 
marched in the night. Destination supposed to be Vicksburg. 

3rd. Day passed much as usual. Played a little chess with 
Thede and Johnny. Called on the Capt. Found him about the 
same. Stomach much out of order and some fever. Called for 
bread at Widow Vickery's. Permission to borrow some books. 

4th. After usual work, read some in paper. In the afternoon, 
went for some strawberries for Brother A. B. and ourselves. Had 



72 War Diary 

a nice meal of them, 25 cents per quart. Enjoyed them much. 
Mailed a letter to Melissa from A, B. Offered to write myself. 

5th. Big scuffle with Rob yesterday. Makes me somewhat 
sore. Played a game of chess with John. Read the Atlantic which 
A. B. lent me. Called on him. Rather better than for some time. 
Up most all day. Called at Mrs. Vickery's and got Shakespeare and 
some other books. Very pleasant. 

6th. After breakfast and morning work issued rations — beef — 
at daylight. Felt rather tired after the work. Cleaned a carbine 
I had used for some time. Rather hard job. Another dry sultry 
day. Thede feels under the weather. Both have the diarrhoea. 
Boys went for strawberries, but could not get any. Paymaster 
here. 

7th. After breakfast and morning work, went up to the bluff 
and enjoyed a good bath. A small stream of water enters the 
ground and runs for half a mile underground and comes out clear 
and cool from the rocks, beneath a high bluff. Runs through a big 
trough, falling several feet. Read the Independent and wrote home 
and to Fannie. Talk of a raid soon. 

8th. Issued beef in the morning. Rob and I went out and got 
some strawberries and milk. Some for Capt. N., getting some 
better. In the P. M. orders for Kautz brigade to be ready to march 
at 4 P. M. Thede, Drake and I went together. Forded the river at 
Stigall's Ferry and encamped three miles on. Pulled grass. Bed 
at 11 P. M. Two days' rations. Tod and we boys got some tea. 
Very little sleep. 

9th. Awakened at three A. M. Got coffee for breakfast, 
baked potatoes, but didn't get done in time. Marched on at day- 
light. Met the 2nd Tenn. at Capt. West's,^ they had crossed and 
captured 7 or 8 pickets on Mills Springs road. Co. H in advance. 
Soon came upon the pickets and kept skirmishing for two or three 
miles. Drake, Thede and I followed Co. H. Soon body of rebs w^as 
seen to the left. Fences thrown down and boys went into the field. 
Georgia Regt. gave L Co. a volley with no effect and soon fell back. 
As we were advancing, a regt. 10th Confederate from Georgia, 
Florida and Alabama came out into a field on the hill with flying 
colors and gave battle, D and I were near K Co. in a little vallej'', 
but bullets whistled lively — horse and man wounded near by. Soon 
howitzers came up and before long started these. Rebels made 
several stands before reaching Monticello. Fought well. Several 
killed and wounded, Corp. Laundon. Last stand near town be- 
hind a wall, determined. Aggravating to see their colors. Charged 
after them through town. Quaker gun in courthouse window. 
Went out without carbine. Got but one good shot with revolver. 
Picked up a musket and carried it. Advance ordered back. 45th 
and 7th with section of howitzers went on and drove the Rebs 

'In the official records this fight near Capt. West's is called Rocky Gap, Ky. 



June, 1863 73 

through the gorge. Went along. Soon drove them and turned 
back. Rested awhile in town. Destroyed arms and ammunition, 
then commenced the retreat — H, two companies of 45th, two of 
7th rear guard. Went on and saw the wounded. Interesting con- 
versation, intelligent prisoners from Georgia. One man killed 
whose father worth several millions of property. At Capt. West's, 
halted awhile, made tea, drank, when firing was heard. Col. 
Kautz heard enemy or force were following and overpowering the 
rear guard. All troops gone by but two companies of the 45th. 
Col. turned back with them. We went with him. Got to the woods 
and rear guard came up hurriedly, some boys running away. Dis- 
mounted the men and got into the woods in time to give the rebels 
a telling round as they charged up the road with a yell. Several 
of them killed and wounded. Rebs stood and gave fierce volleys. 
Very near a panic. Finally efforts succeeded. Kept up firing and 
drove Rebs a mile through the woods. Lt. Case severely wounded 
and other H Co. boys before. H boys did splendidly. Noble fellows. 
Few exceptions. Just at edge of woods rebs got behind stone wall 
and poured murderous volleys into the woods. All troops ordered 
up, and howitzers. Failed to come for half an hour. Boys had to 
stand and take it and be unable to do harm in return. Brush and 
woods too thick to see ahead far, and stone wall. Col. had good 
plans and had the Battery come up and everything gone off as he 
expected, we would have won a splendid victory. Our own boys 
fired some at one another — sad to see. Finally Howitzers came up 
and silenced the rebs and started them. Dark and too late to fol- 
low — also report that rebs were flanking us. Retreated to three 
miles up river. Command six miles. Brought off all wounded but 
Case and Chapman. Dr. Smith remained, John Devlin missing. 

Wed., 10th. Up at three A. M. and on to the river. Forded and 
found rations for men and horses. Remained till noon. Talk of re- 
crossing. Fresh troops on hand. Finally went back to camp. Took 
a nap and got rested — pretty tired. 

Thursday, 11th. In the morning issued beef and rations for 
5 days. Pontoons gone to the river. Dr. Smith returned and re- 
ported John Devlin found in the morning, wounded in bowels and 
died at 3 P. M. yesterday. Chapman also died. Uncertain in regard 
to Case. Badly wounded, brave fellow. He told me to tell the Capt. 
that he fell at the head of his company. Rebs came in with flag 
of truce to care for wounded. Made fair bargain not to parole our 
men, if would let theirs alone. Evidently considered themselves 
whipped and we still near. Afterwards claimed a victory. Took 
a good nap. Saw C. G. in evening. Letter from home. A. B. 
much better. 

12th. Henry Drake quite bad with abscess on his knee. Rob 
and I sat up with him. Wrote a line home and to Fannie. 

13th. Another hot sultry day. Flies swarm about the com- 
missary by thousands — a continual fight to keep them off. Got 
some lemons for Henry and some candy. Independent and Con- 



74 War Diary 

gregationalist came. Good sermon by Beecher. Both Thede and 
I are bothered with diarrhoea. 

Sunday, 14th. No services during the day. Mr. Brown said 
he had an appointment to preach at 10:30, but no one went to hear 
him. I took a bath, changed my clothes and read in Independent. 
Stayed awhile with Drake. 

15th. Passed the day much as the other hot days, doing little 
or nothing. Read some and lay around some. Tried to get some 
peaches for Henry. Found none, got candy and nuts. Had a very 
good nap. Sent out letters. The Col. got rations over from town 
and we issued in double quick time. Small rations of potatoes. 
Bj^erley was over to see us, so was Marx Kraus, the boy who worked 
at Mr. Clough's with me. 

17th. A very hot, sultry, uncomfortable day. Suffered much 
from the extreme heat. Passed part of the day with Henry. Fin- 
ished Emma Bartlett or "Prejudice and Fanaticism", a book bor- 
rowed from Mrs. Vickery. Treats some of slavery, both sides, 
very good. 

18th. Orders to draw ten days' rations and be ready to march 
at a minute's notice. Drew and issued ten days' rations. Hospital 
boys sent back to Hickman. Brigade quite inquisitive as to where 
we are going. In the evening concert. Wrote to Will Hudson. 
Letter from Sarah Felton. 

19th. Felt miserable in the morning. Hospital moved to the 
brick church. Col. Dod and Bob worked at the old wagon. Thede 
and Mike went for cherries for a cherry pie tomorrow. Byerley 
came over. Read some in "Barnaby Rudge." In the evening got 
a letter from Lucy Randall. Wrote a letter to Fannie. 

20th. Awakened at 4 a. m. and ordered to take 3 days' rations, 
forage and provisions on horse and 3 in wagon. Marched at 6. 
Thede and I went together. Passed the 103rd at the river. Fol- 
lowed us to Monticello. Took the Albany road. Went five miles 
and camped. Cool day for marching. Saw Lt. Case at Capt. 
West's, doing well. Got dinner there, some coffee, green oats. 

21st. Breakfasted and were off at 6. Rained a little. Crossed 
over to the Jamestown road. Found the roads over the mountain 
very rough indeed. Hills very steep and rugged. Several hills 
capped with high pinnacles of rocks. Rested at a house on the 
creek. One intelligent girl, but secesh. Reached Traversville at 
4 P. M. Several houses but no occupants. Grazed our horses, 
camped. Scouting party went near Jamestown. Bathed in creek. 

22nd. Last night was quite cold, suffered a little. Rash 
troubles me. Up at sunrise, breakfast of ham, potatoes and coffee. 
At 6 commenced falling back. No rebels near by. Seem to have 
gone to Knoxville. Reached Monticello at about 4 P. M., where 
found rations for ourselves and horses. Took care of Rowena and 
made our beds. Passed through a miserable country — poor coun- 
try and people. 



June, 1863 75 

23rd. All astir again early. Soon after breakfast teams pulled 
out. Thede and I went ahead. Got a drink of milk at West's. 
Case not so well. Crossed the river and reached camp at 3 p. m. 
Found good letters from home and Fannie. Have had nice cool 
weather for marching all the time. Felt like having ague. 

24th. A rainy, unpleasant day, such as they say Englishmen 
commit suicide in. Melancholy. Kept pretty close to the tent. 
Read Independe7it of May 28th, and some in "Barnaby Rudge." In 
the evening wrote part of a letter to Fannie. Am about free of 
diarrhoea. Feel encouraged. 

25th. Answered home letter and wrote a little to F. Kept 
raining most of the day. Had to keep pretty close to tent. In the 
evening Rob and I rode to town. Got some figs and called at the 
hospital. Henry prospering nicely, so are the remainder of the 
boys wounded. Mr. Wright in the hospital. Gave some figs to 
the boys. 

26th. Wounded boys all happy with the promise of going 
home on furlough. Rebs reported at the river again. Invitation 
to dinner at Mrs. Vickery's. Col. and his men. Stayed in camp. 
Bought some cakes, pies and bread from bakery. Still continues 
to rain. Makes camp life seem rather dull. 

27th. Thunder shower during the day. Passed the day read- 
ing and resting. At 5 P. M. commenced marching towards James- 
town. 7th and 2nd Ohio. Rained very hard. Fishing Creek too 
high to ford. Bivouacked on the bank. Cleared off, so slept very 
well, save wet clothes. Thede and I went together. Three days' 
rations. A. B. along, first for two months. 

28th. Up for breakfast at daylight. Fed and cleaned our 
horses and saddled. Creek quite high, current strong. One fellow 
got a good ducking. Rained considerable during the day. Passed 
through a thickly wooded, rough and barren country. Reached 
Jamestown about 4 P. M. Got a lunch of cakes and cheese. 112th 
111. there. Went back a mile and camped. Grass, had a few oats. 
Onions for supper. 

29th. After breakfast and grazing, moved through James- 
town and on to Jackman's Bottom. Had a guide to get corn. Fol- 
lowed a long high ridge through the wood, then went by a rugged 
path to the flat for corn. Hard work. Some firing on both sides. 
At Jackman's Bottom ferry Bugler Co. B wounded in the leg. Went 
to main road and camped at Mr. Glenes. Thede and I occupied 
a shed. Husks for a bed. 

30th. Saddled up about 8 and went towards Creelsboro. Went 
by another ridge, as yesterday, only a little path. Command 
stopped back behind the hills. Advance guard, Col. and we boys, 
L. and I went to town. Several rebs had just passed. Advance 
went up the river and we down to ferry. Ladies just over report 
the rebels all gone down the river. Stopped at a house during a 
thunder storm. Got dinner and returned by Jackman's Bottom to 
Hilms. Thence to town in the afternoon. T. and I got under an 
old house. Pleasant to get rest again. 



July, 1863 77 



JULY, 1863. 

1st. Went to the 1st Ky. and borrowed a day's rations. A 
very hot sultry day. Everyone trying to find cool shade, almost 
impossible. The rash broken out on me makes me a great deal 
of trouble. Keeps me awake nights and gives me very little rest. 
Got some blackberries. 

2nd. Borrowed one day's rations of the 12th R. I. Expect- 
ing a train for ourselves. Boys very accommodating. Regt. to be 
mustered out of service on the 13th. All very happy. It makes 
me almost homesick and still I am glad my time is not out. I 
could not be satisfied at home with this cruel war going on. Many 
will re-enlist. Boys went for forage. 

3rd. Mail came in afternoon. Merely a paper and note 
through Lu. The Proclamation also by Ampt. Shows a mean 
spirit, considerable wit. In the evening orders came to be saddled. 
Stood all night. Two detachments went out. One under Seward 
and another under a Ky. officer. Co. B in quite an engagement at 
Columbia. Lt. Bills slightly wounded, one man wounded in hip, 
another missing and one killed. Morgan across at Burksville 
with 4000, advancing seemingly towards Lebanon. Expecting or- 
ders. (This was the start of Gen. John Morgan's ill-fated raid 
through Ky., Ind. and Ohio.) 

4th. All aroused by the booming of cannon, Law's Battery. 
We understood it. 12th R. I. got out under arms. At 4 A. m. 
marched to town and got breakfast preparatory to a fight. Re- 
turned to camp. Went to the 12th and drew 3 days' rations; re- 
turned some to 1st Ky. Train came in — our boys. A very heavy 
thunder shower, wet through. At 5 P. M. orders came to march 
with 3 days' rations. Drew one more and issued three. Got off 
at 8 P. M. Thede waits till morning on account of his horse. 
Marched 10 miles and camped at 2 A. M. Morgan has succeeded 
in getting into Ky. and now the drama is to see if he can get out 
or whether he is to succeed in his raid. We are all anxious to over- 
take him and if possible to capture or annihilate him. Letter from 
Minnie. 

5th. Aroused at daylight. Marched very soon, roads quite 
muddy. Crossed Green River about 7:30 and camped one mile 
out. Fed and breakfasted. Got a good meal at a large white 
house. Passed through a now almost wilderness till reaching the 
Green River. Some day this will be a rich country, good pine tim- 
ber. Several little showers. Moved on to Dan Tucker's, 22 miles 
from Lebanon. Got supper and ordered to unsaddle ready to start 
again at daylight. Rained and all got wet through. Great time 
getting supper. 

6th. Aroused early and breakfasted. Marched two or three 
miles and got forage. Our brigade in advance. Passed through 
several villages. A beautiful country for farming, good residences. 



78 War Diary 

Reached Lebanon at 3 P. M. 20th Ky. 350, surrendered here to 
Morgan, but not till punishing him. Out a mile, fed and got sup- 
per. Passed through Springfield, 9 miles and camped on Pike, 8 
miles. 

7th. Morgan still 20 hours ahead of us. Out at 2 A. M. Passed 
through Fredericksburg. Forded Rolling Fork and through Bards- 
town. Got breakfast 2 miles farther on. Rested an hour. Reached 
Bardstown Junction (Kentucky) near dark. Got supper and fed. 
Train came in from Louisville, 36 miles with rations, bacon and 
bread. Issued them before midnight. Slept till morning, a very 
hot day. 

8th. Breakfasted and moved out about sunrise. Boys found 
amusement reading our brother soldiers' letters which Morgan had 
feasted upon. Morgan reported near Elizabethtown. Find he 
turned off towards Brandenburg on the Ohio Road, over the hills. 
Reached Garnettsville before dark. Some fun with a girl who 
thought I looked like her former sweetheart — now dead. Three 
miles from Ohio. Morgan across the river. Captured several 
steamboats. Lay in the road till morn. 

9th. On at daylight. Advance reached Brandenburg on south 
bank of Ohio River, just as the last boat of rebels crossed the river. 
He set the Alice Dean on fire. Burned to the water's edge. One 
propeller came down at 1 P. M. and commenced ferrying. Fed corn 
and looked about town. Before dark, 12 to 14 boats, steam, gun 
and packets. 'Twas a fine sight. Got over in the evening and 
camped on the hill — all over. Several boats ferried us. Two mills 
burned near river. 

10th. Moved out at 4 A. M., our brigade in advance. Reached 
Corydon, 17 miles, before noon. Passed the barricade where the 
militia fought. Made of logs and rails, very good. Made little 
resistance, afraid of cannon. 350 taken prisoners. Many home 
guards went on with us. All the men, women, girls and children 
out to see us, water and grub. Did us all good to meet friends. 

11th. Started at daylight. Thede, Steve and I went ahead to 
town. Several met us with "-Have you been to breakfast?" ''Come 
with us." We accepted an invitation of a gentleman, but a Mr. 
Lyon insisted on Thede and me going with him. Very pleasant 
people. Wanted to do everything for us. A girl, Emma, Ella or 
Anna Lyons, beautiful girl, 16 or 17 years. She went up town and 
we had a good visit here. Brought me some paper. Wrote home 
and to Fannie. Depot and bridges burned. Stores gutted. Levies 
made upon the people. A good many pretty girls — one Miss Reed. 
Oh it cheered our hearts to meet with such kindness and friends. 
Passed through Lexington and camped at 12 P. M. Morgan 25 
miles. 

12th. Moved out at 3 A. M, 10 miles from Paris. Reached 
Paris in time for breakfast at Mr. Dixon's, and little Lizzie Dixon 
attracted my attention, resembles, etc. Morgan served the town 
as others. Moved towards Vernon. Morgan turned off to Du- 



July, 1863 79 

pont, bridges and depot burned. Some Ohio people, Charlie Mc- 
Kane's mother. Very hearty reception, bread, beef and pies. Went 
to Versailles and camped at 11 P. M. in a meadow. Only 25 miles 
from Ohio line. Think Morgan will go to Ohio. 

13th. Breakfasted in town about 5 A. M., at Mrs. Harper's, 
very kind and hospitable people. Mrs. Derban's husband Q. M. in 
Grant's Army. Two little girls sang "Down With the Traitor." 
Passed through several German towns, very patriotic. Passed 
through Lawrenceburgh. Reached the Whitewater at dusk. T. 
and I stopped at a German's for supper and napped till 2 A. M. 
Rebels burned the bridge, compelling us to ford the river. 

14th. Entered Harrison on state line at 2 A. M. Napped and 
breakfasted. Seemed good to be in Ohio again, and see faces of 
Ohio people. Passed through New Baltimore, New Springfield, 
Sharon, Montgomery, Miamiville, in sight of Camp Dennison and 
camped 5 miles. Morgan has today burned 48 cars, captured 300 
militia, etc. People very hospitable. 

15th. Moved out at 2 A. M. Mistake in road and went sev- 
eral miles out of way. Morgan 8 hours ahead. Passed through 
several little towns near Cincinnati. People out with provisions, 
very warm. Dinner at Batavia. Passed through Williamsburgh 
and camped at Sardinia. People out with baskets and loads of 
provisions. Bridge burning continues. 

16th. 2nd Ohio in advance. Rations came and delayed us a 
little. Drew none. Breakfasted at Winchester. Our brigade or- 
dered to the front and to act independently. Moved over a rough 
road by Jacktown and Locust Grove. A high mountain to climb. 
Stout work. Morgan but a few miles in advance. Bridge over the 
Scioto burned. Bridge and mill at Jasper burned. Bivouacked two 
hours. Could not ford the stream. Built a temporary bridge. One 
Union man shot because he would not take the oath. Put him in 
skiff. 

17th. Up at sunrise. Crossed after some trouble and break- 
fasted at Piketon. Morgan well in advance. A Miss Lou C. Bailey 
wanted my photograph. None along. Rather pretty girl. New- 
ton, old Oberlin student, along. Reached Jackson a little after dark 
and found an abundance of good things for our craving appetites. 
Horse mired. Camped near the fair grounds, nice village. 

18th. Moved at 3 a. m. Up at 1 :30 awakening officers, etc. 
Reached some large iron furnace where we fed our horses and got 
breakfast. Morgan stripped Rutland of most everything. Rested 
an hour and fed. Some old Vermonters. Reached Chester at mid- 
night. Hour's rest. Got a lunch. People much frightened. "A" 31 
bivouacked one mile in rear of Morgan. Awful roads through 
woods. 

19th. Moved at daylight. Soon came upon rebel pickets and 
fired. Skirmishing. Dismounted 2 and 7 and went forward. One 
man wounded soon. Mich. Battery came up and one piece fired 
shell. Almost simultaneously Gen. Judah and gunboats opened. 



80 War Diary 

We heard musketry 10 minutes before ours. Before 10 minutes the 
rebels broke in a perfect rout, most complete, left wagons, cannon 
and any amount of plunder, I soon changed clothes, light clothes. 
Went with skirmishers, got several shots. Rested till 4 P. M. 
Marched up the river near Tupper's Plains, and then bivouacked. 
Rather hungry — all of us. 

20th. Went on to Tupper's Plains. Rebs got around and 
made for 8 Miles Island near the shore. Moved rapidly. At Har- 
risonville and Rutland the hungry boys were satisfied. Little rain. 
About dusk the report came back that the rebs, 1800, had surren- 
dered. Duke, Col. Morgan, Ward and other field oflScers. Had quite 
a visit with some. Seemed queer to see our Ky. boys hunting our 
brothers and cousins. Marched to Cheshire and camped. Rained 
during the night. 

21st. About noon the Scioto came up with rations. Drew one 
day. Went to a kind old gentleman's for dinner. Thede and I went 
up and saw the prisoners. Boys went out and got good apples. Vol- 
unteers, 1000, went on with Shackleford and Woodford after Mor- 
gan. Would go but for horse. 

22nd. Another chat with some rebels. Some intelligent, but 
impudent. Makes the boys mad that they are not deprived of their 
plunder. Drew and issued three days' rations. Managed to get 
a saddle. Day passed very quietly. Waiting for transports, they 
say. 

23rd. Thede got on order a secesh saddle. Gave up my mare 
to Dr. Smith. Gave me an old plug. Traded her for a pretty brown 
mare, $25 to boot. Jeff" gave us a shave all round. Apples. Cleaned 
revolvers. Traded and gave $5 for a silver mounted one. Or- 
dered to march tomorrow with Com. horses to Cinn. 

24th. After breakfast drew 5 days' rations. Regt. moved 
about 9 A. M. with horses. Got permission from Major to be ab- 
sent from Regt. for 5 days. Going around with S. R. Nettleton. 
Thede goes across too. Shall send my mare home. Passed through 
Pomeroy, Rutland and Athens. Fed and rested. 

Saturday, 25th. Breakfasted at a farmer's. Off at 7, towards 
Lancaster, 45 miles. At Chancey got some horses shod. Rained 
considerably. Road lay along the canal. Two miles out of Lan- 
caster, rested and remained till after dinner. A very pleasant 
family by the name of McLeary. 

Columbus, Ohio. 

26th. At noon moved on. Passed through Groveport and 
reached Columbus a little before dark. Passed Camp Thomas and 
reached Camp Worthington about 11. Had hardly fed the horses 
when a squad of men came for us. Kept us under guard. Whole 
town and Militia near Columbus turned out. Morgan's advance re- 
ported at Worthington. Ludicrous. 

27th. Guards and team came for us soon after breakfast and 
gave us a ride to Columbus. Provo. Marshal examined us and 
sent us to guard house, supposed to be implicated in stealing horses. 



August, 1863 81 

Thede and I do not feel worried at all, for we know we are in the 
right. The Sergt. Major of the 18th Regulars was the man who 
caused us the trouble — a Dutch upstart with little brains — was all in 
a tremor and frightened. 

28th. Passed the night very quietly in guard house. De- 
serters and drunken men filled the room. Novel place. Before 
noon went down to Provost and saw Mrs. Mills. At 3 P. M. we took 
the train under guard to Cincinnati. Lawyer Hall came with S. R. 
N. Pleasant ride down. Reached the city and after marching half 
an hour took quarters on fifth floor of Military Prison, Felt sorry 
for S. R. and friends. Felt jolly enough myself. Floor filthy and 
no blankets. 

29th. About 9 A. M. some coffee. Bought some cakes. Major 
A. B. N. called early and assured S. R. that all was right. Seemed 
good to see him. At noon went with A. B. and Mr. Hall to dinner 
at Gibson House. Got shaved and went at 3 to report to Gen. Cox. 
Released, without examination. Telegraphed to Columbus and re- 
ceived reply that I had been commissioned, 2nd Lt. Got me a suit 
of clothes. Went round with Thede. Took a bath at the Burnett 
house. Purington, Kautz and others laughed at me — for the scrape. 
Regiment came in and camped. Received some congratulations. 

30th. After some shopping and looking around went on street 
cars to Regt. Met it and came back. Found everything all right. 
Went around with Tod. Many boys congratulated me, did me good. 
Received two good letters from Fannie and one from home. What 
a contrast between today and yesterday. In the afternoon helped 
some about filling furloughs for boys. Applied for leave of ab- 
sence for ten days. Boys on tiptoe. Saw Bushnell and Shorty 
who was in Oberlin the Sen. Prep. year. Good men. Went to 
Wood's theatre to hear Minstrels. Went for ice cream with Maj. 
Nettleton. 

31st. Didn't arise until nearly eight. Passed rather a rest- 
less night on account of rash. Went over to Covington and made 
arrangements for barracks for 2nd 0. V. C. Only 30 allowed to 
go home now. Some disappointed. Called on A. B. in P. M. 
Took me to ice cream saloon and did the fair thing. Got leave of 
absence. Rained some. Off at 10 P. M. Jolly boys. 



AUGUST, 1863 

Aug. 1st. Reached Columbus about 3 A. M. Went to Niel 
House and rested two or three hours and breakfasted. Did busi- 
ness. Receipted for property. Left horse and equipments at Q. M. 
Burrs. All very pleasant. Left C. at 3:40. Took dinner at Mrs. 
Crarey's. Pleasant time. From Wellington rode across in car- 
riage. Colored man company. Oberlin about 10 :30. Happy boys. 
Saw Minnie and John. 

2nd. Didn't rise till quite late. Thede went to Sabbath School. 
I remained at home, resting and visiting with Ma. Minnie 



82 War Diary 

came down after S, School. Good visit with Ma and the girls. 
Thede and I went to the Second Church in the evening. Saw Delos. 
John's after meeting. 

3rd. Spent the forenoon at home and doing chores. Spent a 
little time reading. After dinner called on Fannie. Found her the 
same lovely creature as of old. One may well feel rich in the pos- 
session of such a friend. I do. In the evening attended Young Peo- 
ple's Meeting. Did me good. 

4th. Right after breakfast got a livery team and Thede and I 
were on our way to Amherst. Called at Helen's (Helen Rood), 
then Grandpa's. He seemed affected to see us. Growing old or 
rather young again (in mind) . Stopped at Mr. Lysell's for dinner. 
Uncle Milo there. Stayed at Elyria three hours. Good visits with 
Floy, and Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Back, and in evening at Mr. 
Haynes' — good time. 

5th. Went to Cleveland in morning on train. Did some shop- 
ping and then went to Uncle's. Mrs. Col. Webb, cousin of Ma's, 
there. Had a splendid visit with her. Very plain but rich and in- 
telligent. Went home on the P. M. train. Attended Young Ladies' 
Literary. Miss Everson did well, natural. In the evening had 
pleasant visit at Fannie's. 

6th. Engaged a carriage for the afternoon for a ride with Fan- 
nie. Went to meeting with Minnie and Ellie. Pres. Finney 
preached admirably. Was off with Fannie at 1 :30 p. m. Drove by 
Boynton's S. Amherst to Lake. Enjoyed an hour's stroll on the 
shore and ate nuts in the grove. Then home again, calling at 
Mary's (Aunt Mary Hitchcock) to see the little boy. Home at 8 
o'clock. 

7th. Spent the morning reading and doing chores. In the 
afternoon made an hour's call on Fannie. Engaged Mr. Turner's 
horse and rode from 7 :30 till 9 with Thede and Minnie. Very pleas- 
ant time. Went to George Fairchild's room and read class letters. 
Borrowed one from Burrell. 

8th. Read some during the morning. At 11 went to Daguer- 
rian Gallery and had likeness taken. New coat. Met Mr. Austin 
and wife. Miss Smith formerly. Helen and Aunt came. Charlie 
Fairchild treated boys to ice cream, lemonade, etc. Sorry can not 
stay in O. till after Com. too. In the evening went to N. P. St. and, 
shame to me, remained till nearly 11. But these farewell calls are 
excusable, if long, hard to say goodbye. Promised to meet the boys, 
but all abed. Reconsecrated my life and all to Jesus. 

Sunday, 9th. Thede and I went to S. S. together. Visited the 
infant school. So pleasant. Enjoyed being back again. Bless God 
for these occasional home visits. Heard Mr. Finney in the morn- 
ing. Good but queer sermon. Sat in gallery. P. M. heard Prof. 
Morgan, very warm. Girls and John at home. Evening Ed Wil- 
liams gave an account of S. Carolina life. Very interesting indeed. 



August, 1863 83 

10th. Went to Minnie's at 7 and saw the folks off for the lake. 
Ed., Frankie, Phoebe, M., E. J. and Terrell's people. At 9:30 
called on Fannie. Supposed I had gone. Interchanged sentiment, 
and agreeably. Happiest day of my life. Most fortunate boy. 
God grant it may cause no regret to either of us. Oh for grace to 
nobly do my part of life. Off at 2. Hard to leave again. Reached 
Columbus at 9 :30 with Ampt. Supper at Exchange. 

11th. Went to Capt. Burr's office and stable. Found my horse 
almost blind. Did some trading and did errand with Gov. Tod for 
Dr. Johnson. Over the State House with Ampt. Thunder shower. 
Took the freight train at 9:45. Got into a caboose and rested 
nicely. A Mo. Captain aboard. One fright. Brakes whistled 
down — all startled. 

Wednesday, 12th. Took breakfast at Loveland. Reached Cin- 
cinnati at 9:30. Went to Gibson House. Room with Eggleston. Got 
my horse. Rode to Gen. Cox's and hospital, Covington, to see about 
Homer Johnson. Successful, I guess. Supper at Gibson. Saw Al 
Bushnell. Forgot letter from Ellen. Evening wrote to Dr. John- 
son and Fannie. 

13th. After breakfast and reading morning papers went over 
to City Library and read some in Quarterlies and Magazines. Mr. 
Brown came in. Saw Barnitz. After dinner took a stroll about 
the city in search of a lovely, honest, satisfied countenance, a per- 
son who seemed perfectly happy with self, world and God. A few 
happy children, but most of them even seemed marred, scarred and 
marked by contact with this world. 

(Kentucky) 

14th. Boys came down and got saddles, etc., and at the depot 
in time for the 6:30 o'clock train. Horses remained behind. 
Reached Nicholasville at noon. Tried to find rations, failed. Found 
a private house to board at, Mrs. Fletcher's. Plenty of negroes to 
wait on you. Wrote a letter home, read a little. Husband in our 
army, but all Southern sympathizers. 

15th. After morning duties went with wagon and three men 
to Camp Nelson for rations. Had returned to within half a mile 
of the place when we met the boys in wagons. Turned back again. 
Camped near the 86th Ohio. Saw Capt. Lindsley and Lieut. Steele 
of our old regiment. Drew some horses. Had the blue sky for our 
covering, the first time for a long while. 

16th. After a breakfast of boiled corn, bread and bacon, boys 
went after horses and I, in company with Eggleston, started for 
Stanford. Several thunder showers. Stopped at a farmer's for 
dinner. Reached camp near 4 P. M. Stopped at my old stand, the 
Commissary. Saw Nettleton and other officers. Made application 
for discharge from the army. 

Monday, 17th. Reveille at daylight. Division moved to Crab 
Orchard at 8 a. M. I was left in charge of men behind with bag- 



84 War Diary 

gage. Stopped with A. B. Good time, R. M. Haskell's Division 
of Infantry came in, also three Batteries of Artillery, 19th Shield's, 
2nd 111. and 1st R. I. Went over and saw Ed. Byerley. He came 
over. Saw Capt. Shields and Mark Crais. Wrote to Fannie and 
sent home letter. 

18th. Teams returned during night. Early in the morning, 
breakfasted and packed up the wagons. Off at 9. Went over to the 
19th and saw Byerley and Ed. Cobb. Reached Crab Orchard at noon 
and got dinner at a private house. Ordered to report to Co. C for 
duty. Went over to roll call but stopped at the Commissary. 
Burnside and Shackleford, our Brigade Commander, came in. 2nd 
E. Tenn., 9th Mich., 2nd and 7th Ohio. 

19th. Orders came to march at 8. Got my mare shod and 
prepared for the march, never moved more slowly, kept stopping 
to rest. Reached Mt. Vernon at 4 P. M, Have enjoyed the day first 
rate. Began to feel at home. Boys have treated me very respect- 
fully and I like them. Hope to succeed well and through God's 
grace do some good. Oh may I behave myself seemly every day. 

Thursday, 20th. After breakfast, went out for forage with 
the company. Found some hay out three miles over a rough stony 
hill. Got some corn for roasting. During the day read some in 
"Barnaby Rudge." Had a quiet visit with Henry Drake. In the 
evening went down to the brook and had a good bath. Hired a 
first rate boy last night — George. (Colored servant.) 

21st. Soon after breakfast mail came. Letter for me from 
home. In the afternoon wrote home. Studied some in ''Clerk and 
Tactics," then read in "Barnaby Rudge." In the afternoon 
marched, our regt. in the advance. Went 12 miles and camped, no 
grass or forage. Bunked with Spencer. 

22nd. Reveille at daylight and orders to march at 6 A. M. 
Rear guard. Hastened breakfast and led out. Went down to the 
road to an orchard and dismounted. Remained there till noon, 
idling, joking and eating apples. Read Independent. How thank- 
ful I am that I can have something to read. Loitered along the 
road, getting to London at 9 P. M. 3 miles. Camped in a poor, 
nasty place. Slept well. 

23rd. Boys got started for forage, but orders came to march. 
Reached London at 9 A. M. Went into camp and boys went for for- 
age. I stayed in. Got some corn and had good dinner. Boys got 
oats and fed till 5 P. M., then moved on as far as the Laurel River. 
Camped about 10. Lay down near the road and was bothered by 
troops passing. 

24th. Aroused at 4. Got breakfast and off between 5 and 6. 
Good many boys didn't wake in time to get their breakfast fin- 
ished. Quite a time with 2nd Tenn. — passing and repassing. Moved 
along at very good pace. Crossed the Cumberland about 9 and 
camped near Williamsburg. Went out for forage. Rained some. 
Chilly. Wrote to Fannie. 



August, 1863 85 

25th. Was aroused at midnight to draw rations. Abbey away. 
Went to town and was told to come next morning. Rained slowly 
during night. Many out with no blankets. Train blocked. Wrote 
Sarah Felton and F. D. Allen. Still a chilly rain falls. Saddled at 
two and waited till five for rations. Marched three miles and 
camped at the foot of the mountains. Helped issue rations. Fan- 
nie graduates today. Great day in Oberlin. Would I were there. 

26th. Crossed Jellico Mountain. Quite steep and long. Cool 
and very pleasant marching. Marched 10 miles over hilly road and 
camped for dinner. Ate with Chamberlain. Homeliest girls — least 
intelligent looking I ever saw. Went on to Chitwoods and camped. 
Cold night. Thought much of home and friends this commencement 
day. At 5 :35 P. M, crossed the Tenn. line. Gen. Burnside passed us 
while at dinner. 

27th. Breakfasted and moved out at 7. Passed the 44th, 
104th, 103rd, 57th and 12th Ky. Watered and went into camp. 
Forage party detailed and started and then ordered back. Roads 
still among the hills, through woods. Pioneer corps finds work. 
Went on li^ miles and camped with orders to muster. Boys re- 
turned with little forage. Read some in "Barnaby." Ate dinner at 
Commissary. 

28th. Was mustered soon after breakfast (as 2nd Lieutenant) . 
Ordered to march. Boys got in about 5, then started. Saddled sev- 
eral hours in the rain. Moved half a mile, teams fast. Stopped 
till 10 P. M., unsaddled and got lunch, just asleep. Wrote to Lucy 
Randall. Spencer ordered back to Camp Nelson, leaving me in 
command. Awful roads and hills, many wagons mired. Camped 
about 2 A. M. in woods. Had the pleasure of answering several in- 
quiries from Gen. Burnside. Met 50 prisoners. 

29th. Aroused at daylight. Saddled and waited two hours 
for "forward." Hornets' nest by road. Bees after Gen. Shackle- 
ford and others, occasioned considerable fun. Moved 5 miles and 
stopped for breakfast and to feed horses. More big hills. Air cool 
and bracing. Nice day for marching. 30 miles from Montgomery, 
where we camp. Four companies left with wagons. Ours at head 
of Batt. Rode some with Major Nettleton and Robertson. Camped 
about dark. Found hay and corn. In the woods. 

30th. Reveille at 2 :45. Moved out at 4. Made the best march 
for several days. Advance of Brigade. Came up with teams and 
had a slow time getting by. Gave way for Burnside, Carter and 
Shackleford. Reached Montgomery at 3 p. m. Occupied the ground 
of Rebels. Drew rations and forage. Infantry came up by Somer- 
set. Big army. Enemy reported at Kingston — Forrest. Great 
report. 

31st. Up at 3 and off at 4, rear of our brigade. Wagons in 
the way again. 8 hours going 10 miles. Camped on ground of 
Major Ellis' fathers. Went out with forage detail. Got plenty of 
hay and then let the boys go for oats. Got some peaches. Report 
that 20,000 rebels are at K. Rebs left here this morning. 



86 War Diary 

SEPTEMBER, 1863 

1st. Reveille at early daylight. "Boots and Saddles" at 6:30. 
Marched out on the Kingston road and halted till nearly noon. 
Gen. B. passed us. Infantry up and massed in a big field. Looks 
like business. Moved on London road, more big hills. Numerous 
reports about Rebs. Three taken at ford of Clinch River. Report 
that Rebs have left London. Camped after crossing river. Got 
corn. 

2nd. Aroused at 2 A. M., in readiness for a fight. Got break- 
fast, fed and moved at 6 o'clock. General order from Burnside 
saying that any man guilty of stealing, robbing or pillaging should 
be stripped of clothes, flogged, head shaved, branded with letter T. 
and drummed out of service. Marched to Lenoir. Then artillery 
opened up at London and we took the trot for 5 miles. 2nd Tenn. 
attacked rebels. They burned the bridge and retreated. We too 
late. An order to scout. Alarm that rebels were crossing. Went 
swimming in Tenn. River. Half a mile wide. Current swift and 
water clear. Went to London bridge. Found 45th Ohio there. 
Took the company up there and showed the breastworks, good for- 
tifications. Rifle pits and acres of trees cut down. Discovered noth- 
ing unusual. 

3rd. After breakfast and feeding, moved to Lenoir. Stopped 
two hours in the shade near the big springs. Several Union men 
from over the river, Blount County, anxious for us to cross over. 
Camped in the woods on a high bank of river. Many girls out to 
see us. Several came up and took coff'ee with the boys, highly 
pleased. People all seem to be loyal. Lenoir old rebel. Confiscated 
corn, sugar, etc. Splendid crops along the river. Uneducated, 
homely girls and women. 

4th. Boys got ready to go for forage, when orders came to 
report to H quarters immediately, lightly equipped. E, G. H and C 
went under Capt. Stewart over the river to Morgantown. A "cof- 
fee" girl brought us some peaches. Ate dinner with Rebs. $200 
for a pan of flour. Lady said she paid $3,000 tor 35 lbs. Take 
nothing but rebel money. Took two or three prisoners, citizens. 
E Co. let one get away. Camped at Mr. Griffith's near Unitia. 
Union people, gave us a good supper. Slept in a wheat stack. 

Saturday, 5th. Awakened at 4. Breakfasted at 5. Kind peo- 
ple, intelligent woman. Most intelligent and pretty girls in Tenn., 
two. Had some music last night. Marched at 6. Rear guard. 
Passed through Unitia, all Union. Illuminated houses last night. 
All fared first rate, good time. Two meetings today and tomorrow. 
Forded the river. Reached camp at 10 A. M. Ben got an early din- 
ner. Did some business and took a nap. Had a good bath and 
change of clothes. Some flour baked. Gave Ben $10 to pay for it ! 
Thought it $1 and got 50 cents back. 



September, 1863 87 

East Tennessee 

6th. Up early and on the march at 6:30 towards Knoxville. 
Passed through a very pretty country along the railroad. Passed 
Dr. Baker's, killed by Trescott, Co. C on raid, bushwhacker. Many 
rich people, many well dressed darkies. Reached K. at 3 and lay 
in dust for two hours. Major Seward — disgusted — marched us 
through town when Col. P. overtook us and ordered us back 
through town and to camp north of river. Very pretty town, 6,000 
or 7,000 inhabitants once, many vacant houses now. Hartsuff's 
Headquarters. Depots, cars and barracks. Boys showed me old 
fighting ground. 

7th. About 3 o'clock Thede came and awakened me. I was so 
glad to see him. Hardly seemed possible, the good boy. Wish he 
were entirely well. Gave me some letters, wanted more. Walked 
most of the way — two weeks on way. Drew rations and marched at 
6. East of K. near Mossy Creek, and then towards Cumberland 
Gap. Fed twice. Rode in rear of Co. to keep closed up. Boys did 
nobly. Can't be beat by any company on the ground. Camped at 9 
P. M. near a little stream. Some hills — one awful one. Road along 
the bed of a little stream, very stony. 2,000 rebs at the Gap and our 
men each side. A little skirmish yesterday. 

8th, Reveille at 3 and off at 5. Marched near Tazewell and 
fed and got coffee. Saddled and marched half a mile and halted in 
shade most of the afternoon by order of Burnside, coming up with 
Infantry. Rode through town and got supper. Camped in a se- 
cesh widow's orchard, two sons in rebel army, Jones. Found plenty 
of peaches, apples and oats. Rest of the regiment remained sad- 
dled in the streets. Moved on at sundown, Burnside having ar- 
rived. Marched to within three miles of the Gap and camped on 
Powell river. 

9th. Moved on at daylight without breakfasting. Reached 
Mr. Patterson's where the brigade was camped and fed and got 
breakfast. Col. P. and Major went to gap with flag of truce. Still 
refuse to surrender. Drew and issued rations. Burnside arrived, 
and we at noon received orders to proceed to Baptist Gap and clear 
the blockade. 8 miles we marched and then dismounted and climbed 
the high and rough mountain, cutting out the timber as we went. 
It was a hard job for me, came near bleeding. Thought at first we 
were to have a fight. Gap surrendered at 4 P. M. Camped at foot 
of the mountain. 

10th. We were notified of the surrender of the Gap and 2500 
prisoners and 12 pieces of artillery. Encouraged. Had been talk 
that we were to storm the works. 32 pounders to be brought by 
Baptist Gap. Had some chopping before getting to the main road. 
Saw a good many Ohio boys on the other side. Oh such strong 
works as those at the Gap — natural fortifications. High bluffs on 
all sides. Plenty of water. Many rifle pits, and intrenchments. 
Batteries well planted. Glad we went round. Two N. Carolina 



88 



War Diary 



regts. One Ga. One Tenn. 5 days' rations on hand. Gen. Frazier 
afraid boys wouldn't fight. Camped near Mr. Patterson's. Drake 
ate supper with me. Chose Buell and Barber to go home for con- 
scripts. 

11th. Awakened at daylight and moved at sunrise. In ad- 
vance. Gen. Shackleford now commands 4th Div. and Col. Carter 
the Brigade. Gen. Carter Prov. Mar. Gen. of Tenn. Reached 
Clinch River at sundown, and camped. Receipted for oats, plenty 
of eggs, chickens and potatoes. Camp near a little stream on 
Union man's place. Bosworth sick today and in ambulance. Chick- 
en and potatoes for supper. Apples and peaches enough today. 

12th. All ready to move at "To Horse" but had to wait for 
whole Brigade to move, being in the rear. Stopped about noon and 
fed, also got coffee. Passed through Maynardsville and Graveston. 
Went into camp a little after dark. Good deal of dust. Thunder 
storm came up too quickly for supper. To bed immediately. 

Sunday, 13th. Most of the boys wet, and orders to move be- 
fore breakfast. Then stopped at noon and hurried off before boys 
had time to swallow coffee. Straggling. Things don't seem to have 
been managed well for two days. Into and through Knoxville, then 
through again to our old camp north of town. C. G. F. back. 
Brought me letters from home and Fannie. Did me good. Can 
appreciate letters now — her vignette. 

14th. Talk about marching but no 
orders. During day studied some and 
wrote two letters. Finished "Barnaby 
Rudge." Gave a good many boys passes 
to go to town. Last night reprimanded 
Sergt. Beers for staying behind when 
we went to C. Gap. Glad to get a little 
rest. Went to town in evening. Provost 
arrested several of us. Managed to get 
released. Orders to march at 5 A. M. 
Tuesday. Wrote to Fannie and Sarah 
Felton. 

15th. Reveille early and all ready 
to march at 5 but no orders. After re- 
maining saddled two or three hours "Re- 
call" blew. Ordered to be ready at noon. 
At 4 :30 orders came and we saddled and 
went to town and witnessed the drum- 
-whole Div. — sad sight. Pitied the man. 
Drunk and stole a horse. After dark marched out on Strawberry 
Plains road. Camped at 2 A. m. Quite tired and sleepy. 

16th. Up before sunrise and had breakfast. Report that 
Longstreet and Ewell were at or near Jonesboro on Va. line. A 
very dusty day. Passed S. Plains and Newmarket and camped at 
Mossy Creek. Boy's master Dick came for them. I threatened him 
and he left. Expected an exciting time in night or next morning. 




Fannie Andrews 
At Nineteen 

ming out of a thief- 



September, 1863 89 

Had things arranged. Union man. Boys were working for rebel 
man when taken. Beautiful Mossy Creek. 

17th. Made arrangements to get the boys away if possible. 
Had boys posted all night. No demonstration to our surprise. 
Passed through Morristown and Whiteville and camped at Bull's 
Gap or the junction on railroad. Went to a Doctor's and purchased 
some bacon and sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Good many citizens 
out to see us. The Doctor claimed to be loyal. Gave receipt. Boys 
fare pretty well, Co. "C." Many ladies along the road to see us. 
Morristown secesh, Newmarket loyal. 

18th. Moved out between 2 and 3 A. M. Got on the wrong road 
and lost some time. Marched to within 5 miles of Greenville and 
got breakfast and dinner at 11 :30 A. M. Bought a chicken and tur- 
key. Good dinner. Drake ate with me, about sick, looks miser- 
able. Moved on to Greenville and saw some of the 103rd Ohio. 
Very pretty town. Prettiest have seen in Tenn. Home of Andy 
Johnson. Woman said, ''Noble and brave Union boys, God grant 
you may all return home safely, our country at peace." Camped 
with Brigade, 5 miles on. 18 miles to Jonesboro. Sent out squad 
for provisions. 

Saturday, 19th. Remained in camp till 1 P. M. Orders came 
to report to Corps Hdqrs. at Knoxville. Supposed to go to Rosen- 
crans. Drew flour and beef and made ready for the march. 
Marched at 1 P. M. Passed through Greenville and camped at Blue 
Springs, 8 miles from G. A very cold night. Boys jolly. Heavy 
frost and cold. Many reports as to where we were to go. 

20th. Ground white with frost. Quite jolly at Hdqrs. talking 
over old Ky. times. Moved out at 7. Passed Bull Gap and got 
nearly to Russelville and received orders to return to Jonesboro. 
Battle expected. Stopped for supper and to cook beef and then 
moved on. Reached our old camp 5 miles north of Greenfield at 2 
A. M. Sleepy time in the night. 

21st. Got up reasonably early, breakfasted and then moved on. 
Reached Jonesboro near night. Quite a town and many secesh. 
Girls sang "Bonny Blue Flag." Marched 6 miles and camped on a 
Rebel's place. The prettiest and most refined girl I have seen in 
Tenn. Got some butter and biscuit. Abbey and Thede are messing 
with me. Our Brigade expecting a fight all the time, skirmish yes- 
terday and fight today. Foster retreated. 

22nd. Awakened at 1 A. M. Co. G and E made a mistake and 
didn't march out till daylight. Moved to Johnston's Station and 
got breakfast with regiment, then moved on to within a mile and 
a half of Carter's Station. Got in line and remained there over- 
night. Support of Battery, Some cannonading on both sides. 
7,000 to 10,000 rebels. 2nd Brigade came up in evening, also Burn- 
side. Rebs throwing up breastworks. Slept at heads of horses 
ready to mount. 

23rd. Big smoke on Rebel side. Party went down and dis- 
covered bridge on fire, rebels all gone. Put out fire, only 20 ft. 



90 War Diary 

burned. Soon 2nd in advance and 7th 0. moved on across the Wa- 
tauga and followed Rebs. Co. C in advance, came upon pickets, saw 
them one and a half miles and came back having learned that they 
had crossed the river, all but 60. One of C got a prisoner and one 
shot a horse. Was platooned as flankers, men in reconnoissance. 
Went back and camped in old rebel camp. Chicken for supper. Ex- 
citing day. Hillhouse had few men as extreme advance. None 
hurt. 

24th. 2nd Tennessee and 9th Mich, made a reconnoissance to- 
wards Zollicoffer's Brigade. Maj. Nettleton went along as guide. 
Found the rebel pickets on the same ground as yesterday. After 
some skirmishing the boys returned. Forage parties recalled on 
account of some exciting reports that a citizen brought in. Nothing 
unusual. Moved camp. Most of forces retreated. Report that 
Rosencrans had been whipped by Bragg. Flag of truce. 

25th. Quite a cold day. More exciting stories about flank 
movements by the enemy. Several scouting parties sent out. Sad- 
dled up all night. Maj. N. and Dr. S. went with body of Reb. 
Lieut, under flag of truce to rebel lines. Many reports. Raising 
new regiment of Tenn. 

26th. Unsaddled after roll call. Pretty early orders came to 
fall back at noon. Cos. C and E with Col. Purington, Majs. Seward 
and Nettleton went over the river and burned block houses and 
bridges. Co. C had charge of firing two large blockhouses. Built 
large piles of light trash inside and out. At the word all set fire. 
Maj. remained with reserve. Marched 8 miles and camped. 2nd 
rear guard. About 500 recruits went back with us. East Tennes- 
see encouraging. 

Sunday, 27th. Sent out foraging party. Moved at 8 o'clock. 
Passed through Jonesboro about noon. Camped four and a half 
miles from town. Co. C detailed as picket. Post northwest of camp 
on Kinsport road. Two rebel families near by. Made a levy of 
bacon and potatoes and chickens. Gave receipt Bowman and Mat- 
thews. In the evening Major N. came and told me he was going 
home. Sent Buell and Baker into camp. Gave notes to Case for 
$80.00 and A. B. for $40.00. Wrote home and to Fannie Andrews. 
Boys all jolly. Warden officer of the day. (A. B. N. ordered to 
Cleveland on recruiting service.) 

28th. Went into camp soon after breakfast to see the Con- 
script messengers mustered. Mail came, nothing for poor me — 
somewhat disappointed. Boys all happy. Firing on pickets in 
front. Two men and 7 horses of 7th Ohio taken from Reserve. 
Whole command turned out. Force sent out and met by Rebels 
with Artillery. Train sent back in a hurry. Fall back about noon. 
Carter's orders being not to risk engagement — from Burnside. 
People all sad to have us leave. Reached Henderson a little after 
dark. Boys hate falling back, pleases rebs too well. 

29th, Sent out forage detail and provision detail. Train came 
up and got things out. Issued rations to finish the month. Plenty 



October, 1863 91 

of everything save hard bread. Read some in "Harold." At 3 P. M. 
ordered out, scouting party reporting that enemy in column was 
moving this way. Was left temporarily in command of Battalion 
— three companies — in line on side hill two miles from camp; re- 
lieved by Lt. Bills. Remained saddled at night. 

30th. At 3 A. M. whole Brigade fell back, 2nd Ohio in the rear. 
Arrived at Greenville and found that troops had all fallen back. 
People in town seem to feel very sad. All houses closed and hardly 
a person to be seen. Some few ladies in tears. Oh it seemed very 
sad indeed. Brigade moved on. 2nd Ohio camped two miles west 
of Greenville. 

OCTOBER, 1863 

1st. Train all gone to Bull's Gap. A drizzling rain all day. 
Had just got in with forage and provisions when several pickets 
were taken and camp alarmed. Fell back by companies for several 
miles to prevent a flank movement — reported. Co. C occupied a 
barn. Rained all night, very fortunate. My birthday anniversary 
(twenty-two) . Would I could see my friends tonight. 

2nd. After breakfast mounted and reported to Col. Puring- 
ton, a mile ahead. Co. H had been to Greenville and discovered 
nothing but reports. Co. C, 23 men, ordered to go till we found 
whether the rebels were camped at Henderson, 6 miles east of 
Greenville. Things looked suspicious as we went along but nothing 
very strange. Found the pickets near Henderson. Ran them in 
and skirmished with the Reserve, then fell back leaving platoons 
and vedettes occasionally at favorable places. Squad tried to flank 
us a mile from Greenville, column of rebels charged upon our rear 
and took two prisoners. Messenger Bruce had just reported that 
he could not get through town, full of rebels. Had just told the boys 
when they charged with a yell, firing. Couldn't hold the column. 
Formed line at town. Came up with drawn sabres. Reason for 
thankfulness none of us were hurt. Rebels reported on all sides. 
Seems that rebels came from woods into town after we passed and 
waited for us. 

3rd. Col. blamed none but himself yesterday; said he had 
misgivings immediately and thought fortunate that all were not 
taken. Moved before midnight. Camped at 2 A. M. near a creek, 
"Muddy," called, I believe. Five miles from Bull's Gap. In P. M. 
alarm, and 2nd and 7th took positions and had some skirmishing. 
One man, Co. "A," killed. Went back to camp and 7th Ohio relieved 
us. Camped a mile farther on. Got forage and settled down. 

4th. Did very litle in the forenoon. Robertson and Ritter ate 
with us. In P. M. detailed with 20 Co. B as picket. Relieved Co. L 
and Lt. Hillhouse. House robbed by old relief. Went out and 
posted the pickets. Then went into camp and learned if we were 
right in instructions. Thede with me. Built good fires. Patrol 
every hour. Lay down and rested well. No alarm. 



92 War Diary 

5th. Went over to the house and learned the damage. Very- 
pleasant people. How these people are suffering and will suffer dur- 
ing the year. Whole Brigade and 103rd made heavy reconnois- 
sance. Several killed, wounded and prisoners. Seven of the 103rd 
missing. Relieved after dark by Lt. Lough, Co. A and M. All in 
camp supposed Co. C committed the outrage. Boys told differently. 

6th. In morning was called again to answer some charges 
against picket. Boys cleared everything up. Made me feel bad 
that so much should be charged against us when innocent. Sent 
boys out after provisions. Commenced work on Quarterly Returns. 
Mason down to settle. 

7th. A rainy unpleasant day. Wagons up. Tent fly lost. Got 
one of Lt. Pedrick who had three. Also got hospital fly for the 
boys. Wrote to friends of Samuel Barnes — said a word in regard to 
the demise of his brother William. Co. felt sad that no notice had 
been taken before. 

8th. Sergt. Beers worked on Quarterly Returns. Corp. Wood 
went out with detail and got potatoes and honey. Thede went for 
some apples, and took my washing. Orders came to make report or 
history of companies, all the details since their formation. A 
tedious duty with all books away. Wrote part of letter to Fannie. 
Rich prize. Captured Rebel train. Troops continually arriving. 
Forward movement soon. 

9th. Sent out with "C" and "E" companies for forage. An 
attack on train anticipated. Went where Co. I had scare the other 
day. Was touched by the mourning of a lady over the devastation 
the army was causing. I feel thankful that my best friends are far 
from the presence of war. Finished letters to Fannie and home. 

10th. Before breakfast was over, "Boots and Saddles" sound- 
ed. Packed up and moved to Blue Springs. Burnside up. Or- 
dered to various parts of the field but always recalled till near 
night when the 9th A. corps charged and drove the enemy. Result 
of day's fighting, 60 wounded and 8 killed. Bivouacked where night 
found us. Troops moving up and taking positions. Big fight ex- 
pected tomorrow. 

Sunday, 11th. Enemy found to have gone. Infantry pursue. 
Pass them before reaching Greenville. Hear of the enemy at Hen- 
derson and Rheatown, and Foster heading them. Trotted and loped 
much. Could hear artillery from Henderson to R. Then dis- 
mounted and part of regiment went in. Enemy break, then again 
pursue. Keep the advance till sundown. Then camp where night 
found us. Plenty of forage and good night's rest. 

12th. Up at an early hour, breakfast and then move on. Again 
took the advance. Reached Jonesboro. Rebels passed last night in 
great hurry. 2nd Batt. passed through Jonesboro and went on 
scout to Johnson's Station. Rebels left three hours before. One 
rebel deserter, W. S. Davenport, thinks of joining Co. A. Smart 
fellow from N. C. Reached J. about dark and went into camp. 



October, 1863 93 

13th. Got the desk out and papers to vote. Mail came. Seven 
letters for me. Fannie, Ella, Fred, Will and home. Never felt as 
today, an epoch in my life. Felt sad all day. Ordered forward. 
Moved out on Blountville road, damp day and somewhat rainy. 
Read considerable in the Independent. Letters seem so acceptable 
once more. Camped 5 miles from B. Hardly been myself today. 
Camped after dark. 

14th. Up and breakfasted before sunrise. Skirmishing com- 
menced before fairly on the road. 2nd called to the front, Co. C as 
skirmishers on left of the road in open field. Ordered to gain a 
piece. Deployed and advanced. When 10 rods from the woods, 
opened upon us. Boys dropped behind apple trees and fence and 
replied, waiting for skirmishers on the right. Bullets whistled 
close, when Battery on right opened a way to our rear and fired 
near us. Fell back behind the fence till they came up, then advanced 
into the woods. Could hear their train and sent word twice, but 
the right didn't advance soon enough. Had several good shots. 
Sergt. Bail wounded in the thigh. Good boy. Soon mounted and 
advanced within two miles of B. Dismounted and doublequicked 
two miles, to take a battery. Got out of the way. Spit blood. 
Played out. Camped four miles back. Rest was sweet. 

15th, Breakfasted and moved through Blountville towards 
Bristol. Rested at B. till noon, waiting for reports from Foster's 
Brigade — gone to Bristol and 7th Ohio gone to Zollicoffer. Bristol 
very enterprising little town — thoroughly secesh. Girls all pouting. 
Sullivan County all rebel. Got a late rebel paper. Little news from 
Rosencrans. Not very encouraging. Passed through and camped 
at 8 miles, near Abington. Rained at 8 p. m. Aroused at 9 and 
returned to Bristol in Egyptian darkness. 

16th. Kept watch over Davenport. About midnight scout 
went out. Got a tent from warehouse. Boys got plenty of tobacco 
from warehouse. Many stores and private buildings were broken 
into and plundered. Soon after daylight the Col. becoming dis- 
gusted moved out three miles for breakfast. Ordered back about 
noon. Burned 15 cars, three engines and building stored with salt. 
Any amount of salt stored here left undisturbed. Burned three 
bridges and tore up two miles of track above Bristol. Rained all 
the afternoon. Camped about two miles from Blountville — good 
place. Had charge of Batt. — quite honored. Heard Lewis Jones. 

17th. Early breakfast and then moved. Took the Zollicoffer 
road, whole Brigade. Co. H went on with Shackleford. Stopped 
and tore up two miles of track and burned the bridges. Still in 
charge of Batt. Capt. Stewart sick and Lt. Bills under arrest. 
About 5 P. M. report came that enemy were coming. To horse. 
Such a run. 8th Tenn. pickets fired upon and several captured. 
Moved towards Jonesboro. Camped on byroad to Carter. Good 
camp but far from water. 

18th. Moved on after breakfast. Passed through Jonesboro. 
Stopped and saw Dick Bail and Bishop. Both doing well. Camped 



94 War Diary 

about two miles west of town. The Batt. gave three cheers for 
Brough, 65,000 majority. At 3 P. M. Col. P., Lts. Hamlin, Hough- 
ton, Eggleston, McBride and self and 8 men started for Knoxville. 
Stopped three miles from Rheatown at good Union man's house, tol- 
erable supper and bed. 

19th, Breakfasted and got under way about nine. People 
very afraid that we were going to fall back again. Passed through 
Rheatown, Greenville and reached Bull's Gap about dark. Got sup- 
per with Lt. Pearson. Stopped to see Darling — away visiting. 
Getting along well. Stopped to make inquiries about the chase. 
Killed one man, wounded one and killed a horse. Others reported 
wounded at Greenville. Whole regiment followed us. 150 tried 
to flank us. 60 or 70 in town from 11 A. M. till 1 P. M. 

20th. Cleaned up and started for Knoxville at 8 A. M. Came 
near being left. Hired a horse and hurried on. Davenport with us. 
Went about K. some with him in search of friends. Went up and 
saw Charlie. Supped and stayed with him over night. Had some 
barbering done. Went to hospital and saw the sick boys. All get- 
ting along slowly. Anxious to get back to regiment. Saw Sergt. 
Bosworth and squad at Morristown. Ordered them back to regt. 

21st. A rainy unpleasant day. Col. saw Burnside and got 
order (?) for us to be mustered. Sergt. Munson did the business. 
All right. Saw Pike and Co. D boys. Wrote a letter to Fannie. 
How anxious I am to know the future. It looks dark enough to me 
now. C. G. and other boys doing well — 100 and 125 dollars per 
month. Tully and Allie home on furlough. 

22nd. After breakfast went to hospital. Did some chores. 
Got horse for Davenport, who has enlisted with C Co. and took the 
cars at 9. Crowded. Mason coming back to regiment. Proposals 
for re-enlistment talked of. Co. D about concluded. Reached 
Greenville about dark. Stopped with the boys. Very comfortable 
time. Boys rather discouraged at war news, shortage of rations, 
etc. 

23rd. Cloudy, started out at 8. Commenced raining. Slip- 
pery and nasty roads. Passed the train. When 6 miles from Jones- 
boro stopped at a big house for dinner and feed. Old rebel wanted 
Confederate money for pay. Let the boys stay over night, \yent 
on and found all regiment but stragglers gone to Watauga River. 
Two letters from home, seemed good. 

24th. Another unpleasant day. Boys drew some boots. 
Brought in big pile of butter, bacon, potatoes and oats. Receipted 
to Union man and Confed. money to Reb. Seems good to have the 
boys back again. In the evening wrote home and to Ella Clark. 
Feel ashamed of my carelessness. Ordered up with train. After 
forage remained over night. All glad. 

25th. Morning work over, set out for regt. Stopped in town 
and saw wounded boys. Glad to see the boys so long absent. 
Reached Watauga about noon. Found most of Co. C absent on a 
scout. Came in about dark. Grand jubilee. Proposed to re-enlist 



November, 1863 95 

as regiment. All would like to go home this winter but some don't 
want to be bound again till time's out. 

26th. Got out desk and Co. property to work. Trains reloaded 
and sent to the rear. Fear of an attack. Proposed to the boys the 
order for re-enlistment. Read some in "B. House." Boys got some 
good apples and apple butter. Cloudy and quite cold. Contradic- 
tory news from the Army of the Potomac. Election news. 

27th. In the morning, read some late newspapers — month 
old. Took Davenport over to be mustered. Found no difficulty in 
examination. Co. detailed for picket, also myself. Took 50 men to 
Vaul's Ford on Blountville and J. road. Awkward place for picket, 
7 miles from camp. Long ride posting pickets. Two letters from 
home. Good. No alarm. 

28th. At 2:30 relieved and ordered to Jonesboro, 11 miles. 
Cold ride. Reached there at sunrise, reported to Shackleford. Sent 
on G. road half a mile, dismounted and fed. Whole army retreat- 
ing. Went mile east of town where Regt. in line. Stayed and 
waited for Capt. Case to come from the river. Got chestnuts. Sent 
for provisions. Fed below Leesburg, then marched to old camp at 
Henderson Station. 

29th. Boys went out for forage, every man for himself, horses 
having stood hungry all night. Lay and slept considerably during 
the forenoon. Boys got some apples. Saw the boys play poker 
some. Am glad I have not the habit of playing. Col. sent for 
wagons to come up. Mail sent for. Bosworth went. Getting 
uneasy. 

30th. Train and sutler came up. Got Co. property. Mail 
came. Letter from home, expected more. Had inspection and 
charged boys with ordnance and ordnance stores. Quite a time. 
Appointed L. H. Thomas Corporal. Busy on muster rolls and 
Quarterly Returns. Hugh is busy enough. Wrote a letter home. 
Ordered to march at daylight. Rain poured during night. Uneasy 
night. 

31st. Immediately after breakfast commenced muster. Co. 
"C" was first on hand. Teams and 9th Mich, went for forage. Con- 
siderable trouble drawing enough. At 2:30 P. M. companies went 
out and fired revolvers and rifles. I made several good shots with 
the carbine. Good many boys under the influence of liquor. Helped 
some about ordnance papers. 



NOVEMBER, 1863 

Sunday, Nov. 1st. Took a bath before breakfast. A beautiful 
Sabbath day. Wish I could spend it quietly at home. May the time 
soon come when we may all be at home in peace, but contentment we 
should ask for. I find myself uneasy nowadays. Mr. Brown 
preached at 2 from Ecclesiastes 12, 1. Very good. Read some in 
Burns and several chapters in the Bible. Good visit with several 
boys. 



96 War Diary 

2nd. Wrote a letter home. Helped make our ordnance returns 
— about square in everything. Was kept busy till quite late. Or- 
dered to be ready to march tomorrow at daylight. Plenty of ru- 
mors. Col. Kautz came to inspect the cavalry — all wished he would 
come to stay. 

3rd. In the morning went up and saw Provost Marshal about 
Hayes, also saw him. Fear he will be caused some trouble before 
getting away. Inspection at 1 P. M. Horses, men and arms. Co. 
C did itself up in array. Col. P. loaned me "Lillian." Finished up 
Quartermaster and clothing, camp and garrison equipage. 

4th. Aroused before daylight. Struck tents and loaded wag- 
ons. About 8 A. M. again pitched tents and sent out forage detail. 
Voted on re-enlistment question. Co. C, 21. Well done for it. Felt 
proud, better than most companies. Had good visit with many of 
the boys. Finished "Lillian." Thede got some apples. Pleasant 
day. 

5th. Up at 4 A. M. Co. "C" ordered to go with Capt. Easton on 
scout. Got on wrong road, being dark. Trotted two or three miles, 
returned and fell in with the regt. Moved to near Rheatown and 
waited for 5th Ind. to come down from Leesburg. Rainy and un- 
pleasant. 14th 111. to front. Returned near old camp. During 
night rained heavily. Boys got very wet. Slept well and dry. 

6th. After breakfast sent out forage and provision detail. 
About 8 heavy firing in the direction of Rogersville. Ordered to be 
ready to march as soon as detail sent for comes in. Got in. Just 
got supper ready and had to move out. Rested an hour in field — dis- 
gusting. A very tedious night ride, heavy frost, boys without 
coats and half naked. A great number of stragglers — getting warm. 
Clear. Thousand fires. 

7th. Halted near the gap till daylight. Moved on to Russel- 
ville where we got forage and halted for dinner. Unsaddled and 
remained over night. Great reports about the Rogersville affair. 
7th Ohio passed by, rather thin. Several 2nd Tenn. prisoners came 
in, having escaped from the rebels. 

8th. Before noon detailed for picket with the company and 
part of Co. E. Went on Rogersville road, relieving Co. "B." Got 
forage and some provisions. Posted pickets. About 7 P. M. Lieut. 
Newton came out and relieved me. Found at H. Quarters an order 
to report to Col. Garrard for duty. 

9th. Up before sunrise. Got breakfast and was off before 
sunrise. Reached Morristown by 7 A. M. Reported for duty as 
Commissary. Saw Lt. S., then went back to Russelville and got 
rations for 2nd and 7th of Lt. Leavitt, Div. Com'ry. 2nd and 7th 
went into camp north of town in the woods. Cold and chilly night. 

10th. Had little or nothing to do. Went up to see Commissary 
on business. Absent. Went out to Mr. Lynch's to see a horse. 
Learned he had sold it and returned to camp. Left detail for Thede, 
June, Lewis Emmons and Dan Coats. Night before received letter 
from Lucy Randall — married. 



November, 1863 97 

11th. Sent out June for cattle. Brought in several nice ones. 
About noon drew rations and issued them to the 2nd and 7th Ohio. 
Did the work myself with the help of Mose. The detail for the boys 
was received. They reported. Mail came. Nothing for me. Oh ! 

12th. Late in the morning sent June and squad out for more 
cattle. Killed three beeves for 2nd Ohio. Went to town and saw 
Div. coming. Lot of clothing came. Got some horse shoes. George 
very bad face. Powder exploded and burned his face badly. Let- 
ter from Fannie. How anxious I have been and still am. Oh the 
future — dark. 

13th. Drew flour for the brigade. Set the butchers to killing 
hogs, 20. Some talk of moving. Wrote a short letter to the "blue 
eyed bonnie" I once called mine. No particular news. Wrote to 
Delos. Long time since I wrote to him. Weather pleasant. Got 
"Spike" shod. Oh my heart is sad and weary. Issued clothing. 

14th. After breakfast bugle sounded and tents were struck, 
horses saddled and 2nd Ohio moved to St. Clair, 9 miles distant. 
Moved qrs. up near Hdqrs. Rainy day, very during the night. 
Went down and saw the colored men dance jigs and reels. Quite a 
jolly time. Commenced messing with Com'ry detail. Good time. 
Heavy shower. 

15th. After breakfast packed up. Went up town and got ra- 
tions of coffee and sugar for ten days, and beef. 7th marched to 
St. Clair, also Col. Garrard. Drove the cattle. Found a comfort- 
able room. An old stove for quartermasters and Commissary. 
Cleaned it out, and got stove and seemed comfortable. Little like 
Sunday. Thought often of home and home privileges. 

16th. Before rising, was ordered to Garrard's quarters. Went 
over and received orders to go to McKinney's Mill and get 40 sacks 
of flour and then go to Bulls Gap where Hdqrs. had moved. Did my 
business and rode to the Gap after dusk. Cold ride. Learned that 
the Brigade was at the Lick Creek bridge. Pickets very exacting. 
Infantry moving. 

Siege of Knoxville, Nov, 17 to Dec, 4 

17th, Sent Lewis to Russelville to see about rations, June 
came with load of flour weighing 4,000. 2nd. N. Carolina and 23rd 
Ind. Batt. in our Brigade drew rations. Saw post Commissary. 
No rations. Things begin to look a little dubious. Considerable 
running about for one day. Rode from Gap to camp with Lt. 
Pearson. 

18th. Aroused early and notified that a general evacuation is 
to take place. Saddled, and so till noon. Train ordered to Rice's 
Lower Ford. Rode over hastily to St. Clair and notified Pearson 
when to cross. Got two teams to go to Kirkpatrick's mill. Some 
fast and hard riding. 2nd O. V. C. train ferried but the rest 
crossed at Cobb's Ford and trudged on towards Bean Station. 
Some mud. Good joke on 11th Mich. Batt, Sergt, 

19th. About two stopped at a house and warmed. Got into 
a bed for two hours. Pitied some poor people. Gave a woman $22 



98 War Diary 

scrip. Wolf and I went to a Mr. Tate's (rebel off the road) for 
breakfast. One very affected rebel girl with curls, perfectly dis- 
gusting. Train corralled near. One and one-half miles from Bean 
Station. Lay down and took a nap. Mack lost his horse last night, 
left him standing while he went to warm, walked 8 miles. Found 
him today. Pearson and men messing with us. Went with Mr. 
Berley to Div. Com. to sell him some beef and hogs. Boys came up 
before night. Sent Lewis back to see about flour and beef for Bri- 
gade. Moved about 8 P. M. — just settled for night's rest — to the 
foot of Clinch Mountain. Trains and troops crossing all night. 
Slept well in open air. Hired George 

20th. Troops still passing. Various rumors as to the position 
of Burnside in Knoxville. Got breakfast. 2nd 0. V, C. came along. 
Nearly 20 ate with us. Moved on at 9. Got over the mountain 
nicely. Two wagons broken. Long hill and rather steep but smooth 
road. Went down into the valley and fed. Made me sad to see 6 
mountain stragglers passing, all half famished and worn out — poor 
fellows, no rations and no prospect for any. Left flour for Com- 
mand and 6 beeves. Moved on to Tazewell in rain. Went to Mr. 
Epp's, Union man, and heard some music. After supper remem- 
bered hearing Maj. Nettleton speak of him. Good time. Camped at 
T. Rained steadily all night. Many poor, hungry and footsore sol- 
diers and citizens today and tonight. 

21st. Raining heavily. Issued flour and beef to 2nd O. V. C. 
Robertson came down. Moved north of town and pitched tents and 
sent for forage. Two boys, "Shorty" and another, sat by the light 
and played "Seven Up." Became pleasant before night. Left flour 
for the brigade with Powers. All wonder at our movements. 

22nd. A bright pleasant morning and day. After breakfast 
went up to Col. Foster's. Telegraphed to Garrard whether to go to 
Command or remain at T. while the train went to the Gap. Or- 
dered to report. Drew rations and moved to Sycamore. Saw the 
papers at the Col.'s Hdqrs. Talk of the paymaster coming. Burn- 
side thought safe at K. Four men started for K. 

23rd. Went to mills and put them to running as fast as pos- 
sible. Capt. Rankin in charge of two mills. June and Dan went to 
town. No pay. Read papers. Alarm towards night. Pickets fired 
upon. Some arms lost in the river. Pleasant day. Very strong 
position here at this gap. 

24th. Rob came before daylight and got flour for 2nd 0. V. C. 
Hard up for rations seemingly. Another alarm and all saddled up 
before noon. Wagons moved to the rear and flour and meal col- 
lected. Letters from home and A. B. Moved to Tazewell. Wagons 
moved beyond. Couldn't find them. Slept at Hdqrs. after ram- 
bling round awhile. Cold night. 

25th. In the morning rode out and found the wagons II/2 
miles from town. Had Dan and Lewis go with Lt. Leavitt 14 miles 
for flour and meal. Got back about midnight, clear and cold. One 
of the Drivers came down. No move today. Spent the day at the 



December, 1863 99 

wagons mostly. Read some, pitched a fly and took our ease. Num- 
erous reports as to Burnside. 

26th. I shall be glad when the suspense shall end and we can 
move forward or back where we can find plenty to eat. Had some 
hogs driven up for 9th and 2nd. Bought 5 head of cattle. Drove 
up 7 from near Gap. Infantry Brigade, Wilcox's, came up, still 
half starved. Jackson so begged that we lent him 1,200 lb. of meal. 
Letter from Ella Clark. Answered it. Did me good. Hid a dis- 
patch on a messenger. 

27th. Lt. Byard started for home. People sick. Sent two let- 
ters, one home. Did some writing, business. Near night moved to 
Bay Springs. Foster's Brigade passed today on K. road. Crossed 
Clinch River. Sent Lu Emmons to the Gap to see if he could not 
get rations. Cattle came up. Gave hogs to the regiments. 

28th. Have an old store for the Commissary, storehouse be- 
low and office above. Cleaned up and put up a stove. Looked about 
to get mills. Hear no word from B. — borrowed meal. Aggravat- 
ing. Lewis not successful. Dan fixed up a very good desk from an 
old P. O. box. Read some in Burns. Settled some accounts. 

29th. Started Theodore to find Leavitt and rations and to see 
Jackson. Also sent for salt. Read several chapters in Bible. Have 
neglected reading Bible too much since I have been in the army. 
Borrowed "English Orphans" and reviewed it. Good story. Mrs. 
Jones' Hdqrs. Two sons in rebel army. 

30th. June came down looking better. No news of impor- 
tance. Yesterday morning firing heard in the direction of Knox- 
ville, very heavy. None since. Rebels thought to be leaving. 
Thede came back about dark with rations of sugar and coffee. Had 
a long jaunt of it. Went from T. to Walker's Ford. 

DECEMBER, 1863 

Tuesday, 1st. In the morning issued rations to the 9th Mich. 
Sent Coats to see Fisher. Promised to send to me or come himself. 
Rebels reported across the river. Scout sent out. Maj. Gen. Foster 
arrived last night. Guns fired in his honor. Telegram from Leav- 
itt to know about rations. 

2nd. Finished Burns yesterday. Pleased with him except that 
he tends too much to vulgarity. A good deal of wit. Firing all day 
in the direction of Walker's Ford. Infantry moved down. Cavalry 
obliged to fall back across the river. Commenced running mill at 
Big Springs. Fisher failed to return the meal. Teams sent back in 
evening. Put on my Regimentals. 

3rd. During the day was quite busy getting wheat, etc., to- 
gether. Ordered to be ready to march this P. M. Got all ready but 
failed to move. Issued meal and flour till Tuesday. Wrote in the 
evening. Had some apples to eat. Boys played checkers. Two 
poor stoves. 

4th. Considerable movement among the troops. Beers and 
Woods up from the 2nd Ohio. Played considerably at checkers with 



100 War Diary 

the boys. Saw paper of the 27th. Several scouting parties sent out 
and appearances of rebs leaving Tennessee for W. Virginia. Sent 
letters yesterday home and to Fannie. 

5th. A damp cloudy day. Sent out for meat and wheat. All 
failed save the butchers. Some talk of moving. Played checkers 
with Ordnance Sergt. Got badly beaten. Went to bed early with 
orders to be ready to march at 7 A. M. the next morning. All quiet. 

6th. Up at daylight and breakfast in time to move at 7. 
Cloudy, cleared up in P. M. Moved down near Maynardsville road 
and halted. Sent for rations. Scare in 2nd Brigade. Some firing. 
Rebels left Knoxville and on way to Va. Cavalry here in valley. 
Graham's Brigade after them. Guess all will get away. Few cap- 
tured this P. M. Glorious for E. Tenn. Ours forevermore. 

7th. Awakened by firing over Clinch Mountain. Sent back 
details and teams for rations. Clear beautiful day. Moved at 9 
A. M. up the valley. About 3 P. M. arrived at Bunch's Trail, a pass 
through Clinch Mountain. Rebel pickets here and drove them. 
Col. Acker dismounted 9th Mich, and dislodged them from the Gap. 
After dark fell back to same place started from in the morning. 
Very cold night, huddled down by fire with saddle blanket. 

8th. Awoke considerably rested. Surprising how a tired man 
can sleep. Drew one day's ration of meal and two of H. Bread. 
Moved around Clinch Mountain to Blains Cross Roads. Boys killed 
a flock of sheep. Passed a division of the 9th Army Corps in camp. 
Stopped with boys at a house near road leading to Walker's Gap. 
Got coffee and then slept in good bed — secesh. 

9th. Up early and breakfasted on mush. Supper last night 
the same. Infantry soon commenced passing. Left all boys but 
Thede and went on. Passed through Rutledge. Command moved 
on to Bean Station and camped — some skirmishing. Issued Hard 
Bread and beef! Boys came up. Bunked down by the fire and 
slept soundly. Cold night. Boys go for secesh badly on this trip. 

10th. Soon after breakfast brigade ordered to Morristown on 
a reconnoissance. Sent June to see about rations and left the rest 
of the boys to go for cattle and pork. At the river encountered 
rebel pickets. Drove them back on Morristown and Cheek's Cross 
Roads. Drove the pickets steadily. 2nd 0. V. C. on X roads, 9th 
Mich, and 7th O. V. C. and section of Artillery on M. road. Mile 
from M. found rebels posted in woods and cornfield behind a fence. 
Artillery brought up and men dismounted in front and 9th sent to 
the flank. Soon commenced in earnest. Our A. did badly, rebel 
artillery first rate. At dusk 9th made a charge and routed three 
regiments, 8, 21, 36th Va., from intrenchments. About 50 rebels 
killed. Our loss slight. 

11th. Last night command marched across the river after car- 
ing for the w^ounded — building campfires. I rode on into camp and 
read home letters brought by Maj. Nettleton. He called this morn- 
ing and took breakfast with us. Went down and got hard bread and 
a little sugar and coflFee. Saw Corp. C. S., a little active fellow and 



December, 1863 101 

knows his business. Do not feel well today — hard cold and bad boil. 
Read the news and Cincinnati Commercial of Dec. 1st. Nettleton 
called in evening. Resolutions passed eulogizinig Burnside and re- 
gretting his loss. 

12th. After breakfast rode to station and got bread. Went 
down to the 2nd O. V. C. and saw Co. C boys. Seems good to mingle 
with them occasionally. Brigade ordered out to scout. Gone before 
I was aware of movement, but unable to go anyway. Went four 
miles above Morristown, and ran against too large a force, and 
obliged to fall back. Unpleasant rainy afternoon. Read a little in 
''Scottish Chiefs." Pleased. 

Sunday, 13th. Remained at quarters nearly all day. Rainy in 
the morning. Read in the Indepencleiit. About noon ordered to 
pack wagons ready to move. Struck tents and all ready. Troops 
returned to camps and tents again pitched. Begin to worry about 
Thede. A. B. thinks he had better be discharged. So do I. 

Bean Station, Tenn. 

Monday, 14th. Dark, cloudy and foggy. Hear Jacob Smal- 
lered of "C" Co. was killed yesterday. At noon Col. Garrard came 
along with the Brigade. Teams ordered to hitch up. Didn't feel 
well but concluded to go out. June went with me to station. Artil- 
lery firing commenced. Found rebels near the station in position. 
Forces were disposed of and work commenced. 2nd Ohio moved 
from under fire. Ordered back again. Hot fire from 2 till dark, 
awful firing. Heavy body of rebels on flanks and center. 

15th. Last night I accompanied Col. Garrard, carrying his 
orders. He is very cool under fire and indifferent as to the nearness 
of shell, shot and musket ball, many of which gave him a close call. 
Hugh White, Co. A. killed. Many narrow escapes. The scene after 
dark was fine. I felt a wild enthusiasm at the work. Fell back IV2 
miles and in line till morning. Moved back to some infantry who 
made breastworks. Skirmishing all day. 250 lbs. of hardbread for 
the Brigade. Fell back through Rutledge during the night. 

16th. Long, Normaldorf and I went ahead and lay down by a 
fire. Went back early to command and took breakfast on popcorn, 
rather weak subsistence. Our brigade in rear. Remained two 
hours after command left. Rebels soon commenced work and we 
fell back and soon took positions. 7th 0. V. C. in rear. Rebels 
came out, skirmishers dismounted and reserve mounted in line of 
battle. 7th fell back and the rebs charged. 2nd Ohio formed on a 
hill in time to check rebs. Howitzer fired several shots. Continued 
to fire back to two miles of cross roads and went into camp. 

17th. Boys with no rations last night and none this morning. 
Started details this afternoon. Issued meal in evening. Brigade 
marched three miles, little northwest of cross roads. Hdqrs. at 
Sawyer's, he away. Brigade ordered to the front. Cold night. 
Beef killed but not issued. Col. permitted me to remain. Expect- 
ing brigade back tomorrow night. 

18th. Got 2nd O. and 7th O. details running mills. Bought some 
beef cattle and settled some accounts. Various orders for the bri- 



102 War Diary 

gade. Uncertain about its movements. McDowell paying off 2nd 
Brigade. Our Brigade to be paid off soon. A cold day. Water 
frozen. I am so anxious to hear from Fannie. I am miserable 
indeed. 

19th. Up quite early in the morning and sent word to the 
details and to Leavitt. June came up with two wagons. Got 975 
meal. 4th Army Corps camped near Cross roads. Saw Ed. Brice, 
orderly for Gen. Hazen, 41st near by. A good many troops here 
now. Sleep in a bed again tonight. 

Sunday, 20th. June and I rode to cross roads, but got no ra- 
tions, — discouraging and disgusting the way things run. Leavitt is 
no man. Returned to camp. McDowell paying off our brigade. 
Drew pay while Lieutenant — State Agent here. Sent $250 home 
and paid all my debts, including servants. A cold night, read some 
in "Scottish Chiefs." Still worry and feel uneasy as to the future. 
Wait I must. 

21st. Remaining troops paid off. About noon went down to 
the 2nd Ohio and to my unspeakable joy found a letter from Fan- 
nie. How long I have suffered from anxiety and suspense. I love 
the dear child more than ever, if such a thing be possible. I an- 
swered it during the evening. Col. Purington got a leave of absence 
through Corps Hdqrs. Signed my "final statements." Henry Drake, 
Houghton, Parish and Anderson were singing "Annie Laurie," 
"One Vacant Chair," and other pleasing songs. 

22nd. Sent out my letter early in the morning. Had some 
pork and soft bread to issue. Saw A. B. and talked about Thede. 
Concluded to have him start for home with Hillhouse and George 
also. Both talk of going to Knoxville tomorrow. Mark goes down 
to work for Chamberlain. Finished the first volume of "Scottish 
Chiefs." Much pleased with it. Thede and I had a good visit. 

23rd. Hillhouse came around early. Hurried breakfast and 
wrote a few lines home and to Fannie, for Thede to take. Got 
George a saddle and Lewis govt, horse. How I dislike to have 
Thede leave me. I shall be homesick. Still it is best. Poor fellow. 
God grant he may get well soon. Command moved at 9 A. M. fol- 
lowing Woolford's division. I waited till near dark. Lu (Emmons) 
and I went together. Awful ford over Holston. Found brigade at 
Newmarket. Took supper with Maj. Nettleton. Slept on floor. 

24th. At 1 : 30 orders came to move immediately to the Chuckey 
for the purpose of capturing a rebel brigade. Campbell's 
brigade to attack in front and Garrard the rear, Garrard to 
have command. Col. Palmer, senior, of G.'s, had detachments from 
11th Ohio, 75th Penn., 1st Tenn. When half a mile from road, reb- 
els fired on our pickets and Palmer rushed out, bringing on an en- 
gagement. Rebels charged nearly to our horses, then we charged 
them for half a mile. Ordered back by Sturgess just as were 
making a flank movement. Rather heavy loss on each side. Saw 
Bennie Sears. Things looked rather scaly for awhile. Got out all 
right. In camp at 10 P. M. Supper. 



December, 1863 103 

25th. Cloudy and letter from home. How I should like to be 
at home today. God bless all the dear friends. Wonder where 
Thede is today. Gave two or three little Christmas gifts. Rachel 
Brazelton gave me a nice large apple as a Christmas gift. Took 
dinner with Maj. Nettleton. Had some apples to eat. In the even- 
ing wrote letters home and to Fannie. Sent Lu to Strawberry 
Plains. 

26th. At midnight orders came to be ready to move an hour 
before daylight, not much sleep. Lewis not back. Col. Cook at- 
tacked the enemy near Mossy Creek. Capron and Garrard for 
support. Rained all the morning. Uncomfortable. Regts. in line 
all day. Some artillery and a little musketry firing. Foster sent his 
thanks for getting out well the other day. Our brigade rather light, 
656. Camped near by. Made Hdqrs. at Dr. Peck's, a rebel, clever, 

6 ft. 4 in. in height. Gave me "The Autocrat of the Breakfast 
Table." Occupied a good room. Comfortable. 

27th. A rainy unpleasant day. A negro came into the lines 
giving news, making an attack on the rebels expedient. Wrote a 
line more in F's letter. Were out all the P. M. — most of the fighting 
on horseback. Some artillery firing. Drove the rebs beyond "Tal- 
bot Station." Regiments lay in line saddled, our brigade in a piece 
of woods. Lay upon a couple of rails with saddle blanket comforta- 
bly. Rained some all night. 

28th, Dried our clothes and got breakfast. Col. Purington 
came and reported under arrest for disrespectful language to Gen. 
Potter. Read a little in "Scottish Chiefs" and Independeyit. Good 
article on a visit to Oberlin. Lay about the fire until night. About 

7 P. M. got an order to report to Col. Foster and then to Gen. Stur- 
giss. Awful muddy and dark. Got back to qrs. late and went to 
bed, 

29th. At 2:30 A. M. got orders to march to Mossy Creek. 
Marched at 3. Waited at the creek till nearly daylight, quite cool. 
Went into a house and warmed. Woodford's and part of McCook's 
divisions went with Foster's to Dandridge. Found no enemy and 
returned to Mossy Creek. Stopped to feed. Heard cannonading 
and got orders to report to Newmarket and then to M. Creek. So 
far started that went around by road. Quite a heavy fight. At first 
our men fell back and then we drove in turn. 100 killed and 
wounded on our side and as many rebels. Saw two of our men, 
heads shot off. Went to old place to camp. 

30th. Slept by a big fire last night — very comfortable. Regi- 
ments saddled ready for a fight. Sent Lewis back to S. Plains for 
rations. Had some beef driven up and killed. Boys would have 
suffered had they not been fortunate in getting from the country. 

31st. Looked for rations all day. Read some in Harper's. In 
evening Lt. Baird and I rode to Mossy Creek in search of rations 
and to make an effort to procure a mill. Put up a tent fly in the 
P. M. Rained till 12 P. M. and then turned awfully cold and blew a 
hurricane. Fly came down. Wet and cold. Year comes in rathe' 
roughly. 



104 War Diary 

JANUARY, 1864. 
In East Tennessee. 

1st. Happy New Year! Gay and festive. Frozen and just 
starving. Re-enlistment question presented to the boys. Three 
from the 2nd Ohio. Took dinner at hdqrs., at white house. Cab- 
bage and beef and mutton. Had a chat with the people. All have 
suffered badly. Even underclothes taken during the late fights by 
rebs, also wheat and corn. First-rate visit with Col. Garrard and 
Allen. Review of campaign. Hard bread, flour and pork for the 
boys. Makes me happy. Don't ask more satisfaction than to get 
plenty of rations. Have been half crazy with anxiety for days. 

First command in line east of Mossy Creek. Rained last 
night. Turned cold about 12 P. M. and blew a hurricane. Awful 
tedious day. Boys must suffer very much. Col. and staff up and 
around fires early. 

2nd. Still cold as Greenland. Spent most of the day at the 
white house. What a splendid day to attack the enemy were our 
infantry on hand. Wrote letters home, to Fannie and Ella. 

3rd. Ordered to fall back to McCook at daylight in anticipa- 
tion of a fight. Went to Dr. Peck's. Sent up beef and meal. Went 
to New Market in P. M. Got receipts and invoices. Let Spike go 
at 2 : 40 on a trot. Good chat with the boys around the fire. 

4th. Enlistment question all the go. Maj. Nettleton gone to 
Knoxville with proposition and application. 

5th. Last day for re-enlistment. Most of the boys in favor. N. 
telegraphs that proposition has been accepted and regt. will be 
ordered home within fifteen days. Boys all excitement. 

6th. About quarters most of the day. Read in "Autocrat of 
the Breakfast Table." Cold. Evening Dan and I went to Regt. 
Good time. Lost sugar. Back late. Little "taffy" and to bed. 

7th. Regt. passed by to Strawberry Plains to turn over horses 
and equipments. Saw Col. Garrard and got his photo. Bade him 
goodbye. Gave me a compliment. Got relieved. Saw Miner — full 
of bombast and gas. 

8th. Lt. David relieved me. Went to company and returned. 
All busy at work. Got permission to remain at Dr. Peck's till Sun- 
day. Rode back very fast. 

9th. Busy on company papers. Helped Davis. Still very cold. 
Got June to take Jennie to Maj. N. Rode my Spike. No trouble. 

Note — The "Jennie" referred to was Jennie Green, a bright and comely 
mulatto slave girl of fifteen, who was owned by Dr. Peck who lived near Knox- 
ville, Tenn., and who begged Major Tenney to rescue her from slavery. Ac- 
cordingly he arranged with one of his assistants, Ed. June, the night of the 
Regiment's departure for the North, to take the Major's extra horse, "Spike," 
and bring her to A. B. N.'s headquarters. This was skilfully done, and Jennie 
was safely brought to Ohio. She was given schooling, and thereafter lived 
with the Nettleton family until she was married in 1876. She was in all re- 
spects an admirable character. — (A. B. N.. June, 1911.) 



January, 1864 105 

10th. Packed up and moved to regt. Boys got their things 
ready to turn over. Hines inspected property. 

11th. Several boys not inclined to go home. Assigned to 7th 
O. V. C. Thomas, Peck, Kearn, Beach, Montgomery, Bentley, 
Rutzel. Good boys, sorry. Relieved Hamlin. Went to Knoxville to 
fix papers. Slept with Avery on floor at Charley's. 

12th. Went to Hospitals with Dr. Smith to see sick. 2nd O. V. 
C. hospitals in wretched condition. Saw Joshua — sick — and fixed 
papers. Part of regt. came down. 

13th. Rations of flour. Up early. Many officers at Cham- 
berlain's. Off on the cars at 9:30. Gen. Foster on board — don't 
like his style. Loudon at 2 P. m. Went to barracks. (30 days' "vet- 
eran furlough" for those of the 2nd O. V. C. who re-enlisted.) 

14th. Little to do. No boat. Marched at 2 P. M. for King- 
ston — 6 miles — and camped. Dr. Noble and I bunked together. 

15th. On soon after daylight. Meal and coffee for breakfast. 
Raised a little blood. Hard work. Meat and salt. No prospect 
of boat. I am played out. 

16th. Went down with Smith and Bob for dinner. Failed. 
Good supper at the hotel. Started down the river at dark — in pon- 
toon. Smith, Sheldon, Stopper, Rol. Morgan, Ab Cole, Nash, Geo. 
Hart, etc. Went down three miles and put up at log barn — fire. 

17th. Found a dugout at noon. Rol and I went ahead and 
engaged dinner. Pulled on in P. M. Ab and I in canoe. Stayed 
over night at a Union man's. Courtship scene. None of Tenn., her 
women, institutions and privileges for me. 

18th. Rainy, Passed White Creek Shoals in the morning 
as Regt. came up. Let several boys in flatboat. Many boys on the 
river. Gay times. Stopped at Mr. Brown's — rebel. Good accom- 
modations. Snow. 

19th. Early start. Water rough. Gave up canoe. Stopped 
for dinner. Put up 12 miles from Hiawasse. Mr. Georges, poor 
man, but rebel. Rebel girl. Member of church, chews, smokes and 
dips and drinks poor whiskey. 

20th. Off early. Every morning and noon have to wait for 
somebody. Considerable sport. Took dinner after passing the 
Hiawasse, where they had a rail-mauling, quilting and dance last 
night. Most of the country turned out. Good deal of smallpox 
scattered through the country. People alarmed. Put up with 
some poor Union people. Slept in room with whole family. 

21st. It is astonishing how much the people of E. Tenn. 
have put up with, and how ignorant and coarse they are. Have 
seen but one young lady in Tenn. whose clothes have fitted her 
and who has acted the lady. 27 miles from Chattanooga. Great 
time at dinner at one Shoemakers — rebel. Guard there — impudent. 
Got into Chattanooga at 4 P. M. Good time with the Co. Rough 
night. Routed twice. 



106 War Diary 

22nd. Aroused at four to march at 5. Failed to get off. Saw 
Hy Smith, Goodsell and Walker, Charley Brooks and Milo Cravath 
— Chaplain 100th 0. Climbed Lookout Mt. with Hugh, Smith and 
Lu Emmons. Difficult job, but well paid. Scenery grand. In 
camp at 11. Coffee and went to bed. Scarcity of blankets. Much 
noise. 

23rd. At 5 filled box cars. Rode outside. Cold and frosty. 
Very crooked road winding among the mountains south of Tenn. 
River. 7th on at Bridgeport, Alabama. Saw Oberlin boys. Three 
months more only. Lay at Stevenson till dark. Read, ate, lounged 
and napped. Made the most of a crowded car for sleep. Would 
have liked to pass Murfreesboro and Tullahoma in the daytime. 

24th. At Nashville, 9 A. M. quartered at Seminary Barracks. 
H. Drake and I went to dinner at a restaurant. Saw colored troops 
drilled and inspected. Went about town. Some splendid resi- 
dences. Randall quite sick with pleurisy. 

25th. Breakfast with Drake, Maj. Seward and nephew. Din- 
ner with Capt. Case. Turned over arms. Lt. Pedrick wounded 
accidentally in foot. Cars at 5 P. M. Crowded and slow. Private 
Extell died. 

26th. Found Extell under seats dead, poor boy. Has suf- 
fered much, not been alive for months. Procured coffin. Started 
from Bowling Green before noon. Slow work. At Louisville at 
10:30 P. M. Went to Barracks in city, coffee and bread, poor and 
nasty barracks. 

27th. Concluded to bury Extell's remains in city. Went to 
Gait House for breakfast. Bought a pair of boots. Evening saw 
Corsican Brothers, went with company. 

28th. Took Burs, Thomas, Wood and Bosworth to Gait House 
for breakfast. Wrote a line to John's parents. Crossed the river 
at 2:30 P. M. Charge of I Co. too, stopped at Seymour till 9 P. M. 
Changed cars. Rode in passenger car during night. Some sleep. 

29th. Passed through Cincinnati before daylight. Left for 
Columbus at 7 :30. Stopped opposite Camp Chase and walked over. 
Got supper at boarding house. Boys poor accommodations. 

30th. Barracks fitted up as comfortable as possible. "I" and 
"C" officers together. Wrote a line home and to Fannie. Paroled. 
Moved. 

31st. The day in camp. Read in Atlantic and wrote a letter 
home. Mr. Brown and a friend made a formal Sunday call. Dis- 
gusting — his preaching and practice. 



FEBRUARY, 1864. 

February, 1st, Worked on the rolls. Read the papers and a 
little in Atlantic. 

2nd, Cold, disagreeable day. Letters from home and Fan- 
nie, 1st of Jan. Both happy and sad. Made a fool of myself talk- 
ing to old Brown at Hdqrs. Wrote to Fannie. 



February, 1864 107 

3rd. Hugh and I went to town in evening and heard the Swiss 
Bell Ringers. Good time. Zettler House. 

4th. Went down to the stable with the boys to see the horses. 
Went to clothing store — vest and hat — measured for pants. Camp 
in time for dinner. Wrote some. 

5th. Stayed in camp. Board of Survey. Read in "Tales 
and Sketches." 

6th. In evening went to town to see about assignment. Went 
to Atheneum. "Hidden Hand," Miss Sallie St. Clair played her 
part well — pretty actress. 

7th. Made arrangements for 13 men. Went to camp again 
after making diligent inquiries, and partial agreement. 

8th. Saw several committees in C. About 11 made arrange- 
ments for rest of company in Polk Township, Cranford County. 
$100 bounty. Several of us went to- town and to theatre. Restau- 
rant first for supper. 

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th spent getting mustered 
and rolls completed. 8th boys paid off and furloughed Saturday. 
Most of the regt. already in city. Work on company papers. 

15th. Packed away C and G equipage and blankets. Boys 
went to town early. Tom, Smith and I went after dinner. Saw the 
washerwoman. Pity her but disgusted at her freedom and fond- 
ness. Went to Zettler House. Good many of C Co. there. Houses 
all full. Randall down again. Got my horses out. Am uneasy 
to get away. Oh dear! 

16th. Cold. Did my business. Got transportation for boys 
and by permission at 3 P. M. left for home. Had to stay over at 
Grafton. Cold day. 

17th. Went on my way rejoicing at 9 o'clock. Found open 
arms at home. How good to be here again. I couldn't realize it 
down in Tenn. I am happy — one thing short! Treasure Carrie! 
God be praised for the blessing of home and friends. 

18-20th. Remained quietly at home resting and reading and 
playing chess till Sat. P. M. went to C. In evening called on Fannie. 
Happy time — same creature. (She spent the winter of 1864 in 
Cleveland at the home of her sister, Helen Cobb.) 

21st. Attended Plymouth Church in the morning. In the P. M. 
went over to Uncle Jones'. In the evening heard Fred Douglass. 
Much interested. 

22nd. Went over to Bazaar with Roxena. Saw Fannies Hud- 
son and Henderson. Saw R. to cars at noon. Heard Garfield with 
Fannie. Saw Will H. and Hub Terrell. Not much changed. In 
the evening called and walked with F. Good visit, then went to 
Bazaar. 

23rd. Morning and dinner at Mr. Cobb's. Think much of 
Mrs. C. P. M. at Bazaar. Evening with the fairy belle. Had a 
splendid visit. Feel benefited. Future and prospects. 

24th. Up and took cars at 7 :30 for home. Thede back from 
Swift's. Somewhat tired. 



108 War Diary 

25th. Folks went down to Cleveland even to Carrie. Floy 
came. She, Agnes and I kept house. Good time. Commenced letter 
to F. Attended meeting. 

26th. The day at home. In evening called at Ella's. Had a 
pleasant visit and a good game of chess — Prof. Clarke. 

27th. Folks returned from Cleveland. Called at Mrs. Hud- 
son's. F. not at home. Visited a little while at Tutor Fairchild's. 
Read Charlie's last letter. Good time. 

28th. Thede and I attended church together. Heard Prof. 
Finney in the morning. Prof. Morgan in P. M. Good sermons. 
Heard Mr. Fairfield in evening. "Repent, lest we grieve the spirit 
of God." Thede went forward. I feel determined through God's 
grace to do, work and live for Jesus hereafter, less for self. 

29th. Thede went to Pittsfield and around to see if he couldn't 
find a recruit. Melissa and I went to Minnie's. Came home 
for Thede but he had gone away. Took Floy over. Waffles and 
sugar for supper. Floy and I went to Young People's meeting. 
Interesting. M. caught cold. 



MARCH, 1864. 

1st. Spent the day at home. Commenced the "Dutch Repub- 
lic." Much interested. In the evening Thede and I went to meet- 
ing. Prof. Peck. "If I am thy Father, where then is mine honor." 

2nd. Maj. Nettleton returned from Sandusky and started for 
Washington at 2 P. M. Thede and I rode horseback to Amherst. 
Saw Mary, Grandma's and Helen's folks. Called at Mr. Kline's. 
Spent the evening at home. Uneasy for some reason. Am looking 
for a letter but it doesn't come. 

3rd. Spent the morning at home. In evening called upon 
Fannie Henderson. To my joy a letter from F. came this P. M. 

4th. Read and visited during the morning. Floy, Thede and 
I went to Cleveland on the P. M. train. Went to the various halls 
at Fair (Sanitary Commission) and to Uncle's to tea. Mrs. D. 
so hoarse as to be unable to speak. Floy and Thede went to 
Minstrels. I called at Mr. Cobb's. Spent a very pleasant evening 
with F. and Mrs. Cobb. Saw Floy off on morning train. 

5th. Rain and snow. After dinner Fannie and I went to 
Fine Arts Hall. Very pleasant time. Called at Mrs. Cobb's. Went 
to Uncle Jones' to tea. Company, Mr. Kingsley, Chas. Spencer 
and Mrs. Turner. Passable evening. 

6th. Sunday. Thede and I attended Prof. Thome's church 
with the friends. Communion. Season of rich feasting. Benefited. 
P. M. went to S. S. Bible class. Adah sang S. S. hymns. Of course 
nearly went up. Evening heard Mr. Thome. Quiet visit with 
Adah. 

7th. At 10 A. M. went to the east side with Roxena. Fine 
Arts Hall and then for bath. P. M. called at Mr. Barnitz', Bvs', Mrs. 



March, 1864 109 

Cobb's and Cous. Brougham's. Fannie and I rode out — E. Cleve- 
land, etc. Enjoyed myself hugely. We also went to hear Anna Dickin- 
son. "Words for the Hour." After lecture, walked and talked 
over our love affairs, and discussed our relations and feelings. Had 
it not been for a few hindrances and contingencies, I think we 
would have engaged ourselves. Under the circumstances I could 
and would not entertain the thought. I love the girl and hope she 
loves me. God forbid that we should ever be married to be un- 
happy, if ever done must be mutual self-sacrifice from choice. God 
help and bless both of us. 

8th. Came home on morning train. An hour too early at the 
depot. Chester called and played three games of chess. Victor. 
Minnie at home in evening. Played authors. Saw her home. Am 
quite uneasy yet as to the result of F's decision. Anyway I will 
try to be happy myself and to make others happy, be good and do 
good. God help me. 

9th. Wednesday spent the day at home. Somewhat rainy. 
Played chess with Thede and read in "Dutch Republic." What is 
more trying to be borne than suspense. 

10th. Major Nettleton returned. Told M. this morning in 
regard to F. and myself. She thinks as I do, that if the girl really 
loves me she ought to know it. If not, we ought to stop our inti- 
macy. So shall I act. Received letter, unable to decide, does not 
know her own heart. Answered, after a crying spell, and consult- 
ing with Ma and M, We all think alike. Feel as if I were doing my 
duty anyway. Finished the letter and went to P>iday prayer meet- 
ing. Spoke. Did me good. Determined through the grace of God 
to make my trial a blessing. Will be a man and a Christian. Called 
at Fannie Hudson's. Meeting in the evening. 

12th. Wrote to Alf Webber and Hugh. Read some in Dio 
Lewis' "Weak Lungs, and How to Make Them Strong" — m^ich in- 
terested. Called yesterday to see Jamie Johnson. Walked home 
from town with Ella and challenged for a game of chess. Went 
down and played in the evening — the champion. Letter from Fan- 
nie asking me to come down. 

13th. Felt so unwell and uneasy, concluded not to go to 
church. Lay down part of the day. Read "Bitter Sweet," by Hol- 
land. Much interested. 

14th. Ma, Thede and I went down and looked at the Bushnell 
place. Concluded to take it. Went to Cleveland on P. M. train. 
Considerable snow last night and yesterday. Pleasant overhead 
but bad underneath. Almost concluded not to go out today on 
account of feeling so miserably weak and nervous. Went immedi- 
ately to Mr. Cobb's. Helen came to the door. I fairly shook. Oh, 
could I see Fannie. I went in. Helen brought me a letter from 
Fannie. Soon F. came. The letter told her sorrow at the trouble, 
reviewed our friendship, told her doubt and how she had hid it and 
smothered it and not allowed herself to think she hadn't true love 



110 War Diary 

for me. She said "With my child-love, I loved you Luman. Why 
I do not now, I do not know." Again, "I never would admit that 
I did not love you, I can not say now that I do not." Helen came. 
She pitied both of us. 'Twas a sad misfortune, but it was probably 
for our good. She felt from her conversation with F. and ques- 
tions that she did not love me as she should. She thought we had 
better part friends and await the will of God. F. said once, "Oh 
it seems as though I could throw my arms around your neck and 
take it all back." Helen was very kind to me and wished me to 
write to her. How sad the necessity of such a course. F. had 
been crying. She undoubtedly sympathizes with me in my sore 
trial. She prayed and hoped it would be different some day. If 
the change did come, she would fly to me. Her sympathy, if that 
it is, is deep, f I can not realize that she does not love me. How 
can I have been mistaken these years — since she was seventeen. 
I can forgive all, for she suff'ered herself to please me. How strange 
our parting was — solemn, but as of old. Oh it all seems but a 
mere dream to me. Can it be reality? It seems cruel, but a wise 
God will make it a blessing, I hope. I pray God that he will sus- 
tain and bless us and bring us together here below, if he can con- 
sistently, if not, grant us both a rich inheritance in Heaven. This 
meeting and parting, can I ever forget it? No, never. Can it 
be that we have parted to be mere friends forever? It can not seem 
so to me. It always has seemed to me during these years that we 
were fated to be and dwell together, bearing each the other's bur- 
dens and each other's joys, most of all happy in each other's love. 
Time will disclose all of its secrets and eternity, all till then re- 
maining mysterious. I'll await the result as trustfully and pa- 
tiently as possible. God's will, not ours be done. I must use every 
exertion not to allow this to ruin or seriously injure me. It will 
not do for me to think much of the matter. 

Went home on the night freight. Home after 10. Showed Ma 
my letter and told her the result of interview. 

15th. All the young folks were invited to Dea. Turner's to 
tea. I remained at home. Played chess with Thede. Read some — 
attending preaching in the evening. Prof. Fairchild made a good 
discourse. Got out my letters from Fannie, reviewed them and 
burned them. It seemed hard and sad to do so, but I knew it was 
best. Could not discover any change in the style of her letters in 
the spring of 1861. They seemed full as warm and affectionate 
then as ever during the whole year. 

16th. Melissa wrote a letter to F. I enclosed a note speaking 
of my burning the letters and asking F. to do the same way with 
mine and also my pictures. Melissa took my letters around to 
Minnie's. Thede and I walked around before supper. 

17th. Stormy day. Played a little chess and read some. In 
the P. M. went to Thursday lecture. A stranger, an old grad- 
uate, occupied the pulpit — from a tent on Tappan Square. Colum- 
bian's concert in the evening. Remained at home with Ma and 
baby Carrie. 



March, 1864 111 

Friday, 18th. Spent most of the day in the house. So in- 
terested in a game of chess that I forgot the church prayer meet- 
ing till too late. Attended preaching in the evening. 

19th. Spent the day getting things ready for leaving. Saw 
Prof. Peck. Called at Maria's (Jewell) in the evening, then at 
Minnie's. Game of authors. Melissa, Flora and I at M.'s. Nettle- 
ton came in on the night freight. Regt. received marching orders, 
Mt. Sterling, Ky. 

Sunday, 20th. Went to S. S. in the morning. Mr. Fitch spoke 
splendidly. Pres. Finney preached, the old and new heart, right- 
eous and wicked man. Minnie and John came over in P. M. 
Called at Mrs. Holtsander's. Went home with Minnie to tea. Then 
to preaching by Mr. Fairfield. Neglect of so great salvation. This 
has been a happy day to me and withal a sad one. Oh it seems 
very hard to leave home again. Would that I could go with affairs 
in a little different state. 

21st. Packed up in the morning. Went to Cleveland on the 
P. M. train, George went to the depot with me. Thede rode the 
horses. Saw Will, took supper with him. Went to the depot and 
around somewhat, expecting Fred. Good visit with Delos. Put 
up at Forest City Hotel. Saw most of the Co. Boys, Half of 2nd 
O. V. C. on a drunk. 

Tuesday, 22nd. Went with Thede over to Uncle Jones'. Stayed 
till after dinner. Visited with boys. Saw Will and Terrell play 
billiards. Introduced to Mrs. Case. Col. Purington asked me in 
to see his wife. In the evening officers presented Mrs. P. with a 
silver tea service. $3.00 per man. Wine, etc. Didn't indulge. 
Saw the Arabs perform — great feats. 

23rd. Boys on hand to start. Didn't get off. Tomorrow at 
10 we now expect to leave. Most of the regt. has got along. Thede 
and I went over to Uncle Jones' to tea and remained till 8:30 P. M. 
Then went to depot and welcomed Fred. Delos and Will there too. 
We four "B. F.s" spent several hours very pleasantly. Made me 
both happy and sad. Seemed good for so many to be together 
again. 

Thursday, 24th. After breakfast went to town. Forgot my 
belt. Had to go by Mr. Cobb's three times. Felt sad as I breathed 
a goodbye. Sad sad, sad! Will times ever change? I am glad none 
of my friends can know the feelings of my heart. Fred and Will 
and Terrell went to the depot with me. Boys feeling well. Got 
off at 10. Reached Columbus at 7 p. m. Left at 10 P, M, 

Friday, 25th, Reached Cincinnati a little before daylight. 
Marched in the rain to barracks up town. Got breakfast at a 
restaurant. Telegram came ordering us to Annapolis. Boys re- 
ceived the news with huzzas. Rejoiced that we were not obliged 
to go to Knoxville. Dismounted and encamped as we had orders 
to do. Took the cars again at 8 P. M. 

26th. Reached Columbus at 10 A, M. Took the Central Ohio, 
Never passed through the country before. Pleased with Newark 
and Zanesville, Country rough east. 



112 War Diary 

Sunday, 27th. Reached Bellaire at 2:30 A, M, and were fer- 
ried across the river. Took the Baltimore and Ohio road before 
daylight. In box cars — plenty of straw. Very rough country. 
Fairmount, Grafton most important town today, junction of the 
two branches. Road ran along the Monongahela for a time, then 
the Cheat River. Passed through several tunnels, one nearly a 
mile long. Some very heavy grades — 117 ft. per mile for 17 miles.. 

Monday, 28th. Passed through Martinsburg and Harper's 
Ferry. Saw John Brown's engine house, a very strong position 
indeed. Great amount of work on the road, 13 trains passed us 
this morning going west. Road along the Potomac many miles. 
Passed Relay House about 9 A. M. Annapolis Junction at 10 p. m. 
Tried to get the landlord up to get some supper. Great time. After 
rattling away at doors and windows, got up on roof to window 
where there was a light. People nearly frightened to death. One 
woman about eight months gone — man feared for her. Officers 
went to saloon and then back to cars. 

29th. Reached paroled camp at Annapolis before daylight. 
Passed the day in camp. No stores and no wood. Good time chat- 
ting, laughing and fooling. In evening played a game of chess 
with Major Nettleton. Slept with him at Post Quartermaster's, 
Maj. Carpenter from Akron. Camp very pleasant. Barber shop, 
reading room, chapel, news depot, neat buildings and good soil. 

30th. A rainy unpleasant day. Detailed to act as R. Q. M. 
vice Bills, who thinks of resigning on account of matters at home. 
Played some at chess. Boys seem to regret my leaving the com- 
pany. I know I do. I do desire to do my duty well, faithfully 
and honestly. In the evening took the non-commissioned officers 
over for oysters. Went to chapel to prayer meeting — interesting. 

31st. Went to town to the Q. M. with Bill. A rainy unpleas- 
ant day. Slept with Brother N. at Q. M. Carpenter's. 



APRIL, 1864. 

April 1st. Moved camp over the railroad, three-quarters of 
a mile. Went to town and got camp and G. equipage, and hay and 
wood. 

2nd. Got up some straw and forage. A rainy day. Slept 
with Bill in Q. M. Dept. 

April 3rd. Sunday. Went to town and receipted for cloth- 
ing. A rainy unpleasant day. 

4th. Went to town with Tom Wood. Worked all day and 
finally succeeded in getting two loads of clothing. Very rainy and 
unpleasant. Teams got lost. Worried Tom — misunderstanding. 

5th. Burge and Tom went to town. Found the teams and 
got the rest of the clothing. Still unpleasant and chilly. Boys 
all catching cold. 

6th. Issued clothing to the companies. Short on several ar- 
ticles. Had Thede detailed. Barber commenced cooking. 



April, 1864 113 

7th. Thursday. Letters from home yesterday. Read the "Life 
of Capt. Hurley Vicars" in the morning. Tom and Thede went to 
town to see Dan. P. M. went out to see companies drill. Would 
like to drill right well. Dreamed of Fannie last night. 

8th-19th. Generally went to town once during the day on bus- 
iness and to see Dan. The boy has seen trouble and I fear that it 
will be too much for him. He had been intimate with and for some 
time engaged to a young lady of wealthy family. The father op- 
posed the intimacy and engagement and ordered all attentions dis- 
continued. Burned Dan's letters and her letters, taking them from 
the office privily. She remained true, but her father compelled her 
to marry another, she all the time protesting. I know how to 
sympathize with Dan, poor boy. 

Twenty-six officers and non-commissioned officers ordered into 
Penn. to buy horses for the regt. to be gone five days or thereabouts. 
Gen. Burnside came to see us one day. Another day, Burnside, 
Grant and Washburn reviewed us. Have read "Sutherland," author 
unknown, not much liked because it has a pro-slavery tendency. 
"Red Tape and Pigeon Hole Generals." Telling criticisms on 
Fitz-John Porter, Butterfield, McClellan and Regulars generally. 
Written in a spicy and entertaining style and withal quite inter- 
esting and I guess, truthful. 

Reported that Burnside's expedition will leave on the 24th. 
Fear that we will be left in the lurch. Dread to be. Have played 
chess somewhat with A. B. N. Ma has moved to Minnie's, Minnie 
very sick. Written home twice and heard twice. 

20th. Received orders to turn in A Tents and draw shelter 
tents in readiness to go to Washington for outfit. Went to town 
late on bus. Drake received commission and Brown acceptance of 
resignation, good all around. Gave an oyster supper. Was not 
present. 

21st. Went to town half a dozen times. No train comes yet. 
Struck tents and moved out to camp. Parole before dark. Turned 
over property. Slept in open air. 

22nd. Cars ready and off at 10 A. M. Got to Washington at 
4 P. M. Rode to 6th St. wharf and made arrangements for trans- 
portation to Giesboro. Rather disappointed in the city of which I 
have read so much, where so many great men have congregated, 
where so much treason has been plotted, inhuman laws made. Penn. 
Ave. is a moderately pretty street, but otherwise the city seems the 
poorest I was ever in. The capitol is grand, massive, grounds beau- 
tiful. 

23rd. Went to the White House and went through the East 
Room and two or three reception rooms. Eight very large mirrors 
in the East room, velvet and gilt papering, heavy brussels carpet, 
elegant sofas. Reception room surpasses anything I ever saw. 
Waited at Soldier's Rest from 9 till 1 P. M. for Major Seward. Then 
got teams for baggage. Went to depot to have boats ready. Weath- 
er as mild and warm as in June. Streets very, very dusty. Wil- 



114 War Diary 

lard's and Metropolitan fine hotels. Passed Treasury Building. 
Moved at 4 P. M. to Camp Stoneman, via Giesboro Point by boat. 
Drew tents. 

24th-29th. Busy at work supplying the regt. with horses, 
etc. 29 officers, on extra duty, returned to regt. Orders to march 
as soon as possible. Papers from home. Busy exchanging horses. 
Got 33 good ones in Washington. 

30th. F.'s birthday — alas ! alas ! Busy all day getting Q. M. 
stores and fixing up for the march. Wrote home and to George. 
Didn't get to bed till nearly one. Have had hard work for several 
days. 

MAY, 1864. 

May 1st. Busy getting ordnance boxes returned to Dept. till 
10 o'clock. Regt. marched at 11. Train off at about 1 P. M. — 12 
wagons. Thede and I stayed behind to get receipts for property. 
Left Washington between 5 and 6 o'clock. Capt. and A. D. C. 
on Maj. Gen. Auger's staff disliked to give me a pass for fear we 
would be gobbled! Caught up just as the regt. camped 9 or 10 
miles from Washington. Supper and to bed at 10 P. M. Slept well, 
beautiful day. 

2nd. Reveille at 4. Off at 7. Pike road still. Passed through 
Fairfax C. H, a place of only half a dozen scattered buildings. No 
fences along the road and very few houses, and those abandoned, 
hilly country and considerably woody. Camped near Bristol Sta- 
tion. 22nd and 24th N. Y. and 3rd N. J. near us. Commenced rain- 
ing before we got our tents pitched. Cold, wet night. Slept very 
well. 

Monday, 3rd. Moved on at 8 o'clock having waited for tents 
to dry off. Passed Catlett Station and reached Warrenton Junc- 
tion at noon. Burnside's Hdqrs. here. One Div. here. Passed one 
at Manassas, at Ferrero and one at Bristol. Drew hay for our 
feed, also oats for three days. Also 7 wagons. Kept quite busy. 
Didn't get much sleep ; ordered to march at 2 A. M. Cold — Tea — 8 
days of commissaries and 5 of forage. 

4th. Got off before 4 o'clock. Came up with one div. of in- 
fantry at Bealeton Station. Beautiful morning. Went on to Brandy 
Station, unsaddled and got dinner and finally remained overnight. 
Drew hay and picked up some oats. Fight at Chancellorsville. Did 
some business. 

5th. Orders to march at 4 o'clock. Got up in time for break- 
fast. Today our forces seem to abandon Brandy Station, and the 
railroad. Most of the army across the Rapidan and Germania Ford. 
Reached the ford with 300 cattle at 10. Four companies reported 
to Gen. Wilcox. Infantry crossing all day, 9th Corps. A very 
warm day. Dusty roads, faces all crisped. Rapidan a narrow 
rocky bottom, high banks, rapid stream. Rappahannock narrow 
and less rapid. Went into camp about a mile from the river, rode 



May, 1864 115 

out Pike to our pickets. Rebel pickets in sight. Very heavy firing 
on the left in the 6th Sedgwicks Corps. Quite heavy loss. Rumor 
that Butler was in Petersburg and Thomas fighting at Dalton. 
(Beginning of Grant's attack on Lee and the Campaign of the 
Wilderness.) 

6th. Regt. saddled and moved out into position at 2 o'clock. 
After breakfast went out to Regt. awhile. Very hot. Firing com- 
menced at daylight. Heaviest again in Sedgwick's Corps. Burn- 
side over near Chancellorsville. Just about dark firing was very 
heavy. Various reports in regard to loss. Dreamed last night of 
Fannie. 

7th. At 1 o'clock, received orders to pull out. Followed some 
3rd Div. trains. Went down near Chancellorsville and breakfasted. 
Firing commenced early. Very hot and sultry. Regt. still back 
at the Ford. Moved to Chancellorsville (the walls of a brick house 
mark the spot) and remained over night. A good many fortifica- 
tions remaining of those thrown up a year ago. Firing has been 
incessant all day. Troops passing towards Spottsylvania all night. 

8th. During the day moved to Todd's Tavern. A large open 
space. All the trains of the army parked here. An ocean of teams. 
Pulled out a short distance after dark. General order saying that 
our armies had been victorious at Spottsylvania during the day. 
Parked near Gen. Burnside's Hdqrs. Saw Gen. Stevenson, Patten 
and Patrick. Maj. Nettleton stayed with us. Considerable en- 
couraging news in regard to Butler and Thomas. 

9th. Moved half a mile in the afternoon and then divided my 
forage to last till Sunday. Many of the teams on quarter rations. 
Hard fighting, all day. 

10th. During the day went to the regt. Some beef, I6I/2 
cents per pound. Thomas and I went to the front. Arrived there 
at nearly sundown just as a charge was to be made. Gen. Grant, 
Meade and several lesser generals with staff's out. We fell in. Col. 
Upton's Brigade charged and took the enemy's works with a brig- 
ade of rebs under Dough. Grant had one of his never-ending stubs 
in his mouth, and puffed freely. Both Grant and Meade looked 
serious and thoughtful till the news of success came. Then they 
seemed pleased. Grant said "That looks like desperation, surren- 
dering without firing a gun." But they had held their ground 
stubbornly during the day. Grant said "A brigade today, will try 
a corps tomorrow." Never felt more animated. I felt such a re- 
lief from the suspense and anxiety which had been upon me for 
several days. I presume nearly the whole of the army and country 
are as uneasy and anxious as I. I awake frequently during the 
night. "H." moved half a mile last night towards Fredericks- 
burg. Rained most all day. Heavy fighting all day, with little 
success. Several charges made, but rebs repulsed them. 

12th. Orders early to move. Sent 10 teams yesterday after 
forage. Sent two today for rations. Went with Pike and Ed. 
Livingston to the front, raining quite hard. Last night Gen. 



116 War Diary 

Hancock moved from right to left and this morning captured a 
division of Rebs under Johnson — Bushrod, I hear. Several charges 
made to little purpose. Ed and I visited our breastworks and one 
battery of 15 guns. Napoleon 12 and Rifled guns. Artillery firing 
very heavy all along the lines. Train pulled out about 2 o'clock 
and moved to within 3 miles of Fredericksburg. Cut ofi" several 
miles of bad roads. Camped a little after dark. Rainy night. 
Firing still continues. 

13th. Comparatively quiet today. Christ's brigade, Pa. and 
Mich. 9th Corps badly cut up in a charge. Com. killed beef and 
took to the command. Saw a paper of the 11th. Forage train 
arrived. 

14th. Sent forage to the Regt. Maj. Seward came with four 
companies from Belle Plains. Gave several some dinner. Maj. 
Seward remained with us, unable to ride further. Regt. near Todd's 
Tavern. No news from the army. Report that it is swinging 
round to the left. Some fighting in Burnside's Corps. 

Sunday, 15th. Trains passing to the rear all night and today. 
Started teams for forage. Rainy night and cloudy today. Several 
from the Regt. down, Col. P. — Regt. under Maj. Nettleton had a 
fight with a brigade of rebs. Lost 15 or 20 horses, and four men 
were wounded. Rebs fell back as soon as the "dark cloud" made 
its appearance. Big reports came to the rear. Guess Button 
showed little pluck. 

16th. Moved down to the valley near Fredericksburg. Went 
into town twice and looked at the fortifications and city. It must 
have been beautiful before the war. Scenery along the river 
splendid. Went around with Nettleton and Seward. Town full 
of wounded. 

17th. Lay in camp all day. Played whist with Seward and 
Abbey. 

18th. Read Independents and " Night and Morning," by 
Charles Leper. Hard fighting today at Spottsylvania, nearly a 
drawn game. Ours if either. 

19th. Went down with Thede to Spottsylvania. Visited all 
the fortifications. Went to the picket line. Could see the rebs very 
distinctly in rifle pits and works. Our fortifications only 1200 
yds. apart. Train captured and recaptured. 

20th. Birge got in last night with oats. Went out to Regt. 
Considerable excitement on account of report that Ewell had 
flanked our army and was about to attack Fredericksburg. 

21st. Regt. back at F. All trains leaving on Bowling Green. 
Got off at dark. 4 miles during the night. 

2nd. Got into Guiney Station at noon. Stayed till the next 
day. 

23rd. Aroused at 1:30 A. M. Got off at 3:30. I went back 
to the regt. and remained till 3 P. M. Reached the train at Milford 
Station, 3 miles below Bowling Green. A beautiful little village. 
A splendid rolling country. Rows of trees along the road each 
side. A good night's rest. 



June, 1864 117 

24th. Read in "Villette." Saw Lt. Bennett, 44th N. Y. 
Heavy firing in the distance nearly all day. Train moved out in 
the evening. Crossed the Mattapony. Went one and one-half 
mile? and camped at 1 :30 A. M. 

25th. Troops crossed the North Anna. Regt. camped near 
the train. Read in "Villette" and played a little at cards. 

26th. A rainy unpleasant day. Went down to the Regt. 
Regt. moved in the evening to Milford and on towards the "White 
House." Trains commenced passing to the rear by another road 
to the white house. 

27th. Orders to hitch up about 11 A. M. Moved about 3 P. M. 
Read one volume of "Marble Faun." Marched all night. 

28th. Saw Col. P. Train moved on to Newtown and camped. 
Regt. ordered to the cavalry corp. Made preparations to remain 
with the Regt. — Thede, Hank, Barb and I. Regt. captured nine 
reb wagons yesterday. Plenty of corn and bacon. Glee Club gave 
some music at F. F. V., reb family. 

29th. Sunday. Reached the 3rd Div. C. C. little before 
midnight. 1st Brigade Col. Mcintosh. Camped near Hanovertown 
on the Pamunkey. Crossed the Mattapony today and passed 
through Dunkirk. Like to remain with the Regt. 

30th. Remained in camp till 5 P. M. when we were ordered 
to march. Went out one mile and dismounted. Soon received 
orders to return to camp. Artillery firing commenced early in the 
morning and continued all day — terrific towards evening. A con- 
tinuous roar. What suspense. God grant that we may be suc- 
cessful. May He give wisdom and grace to our leaders, strength 
and nerve to our men and victory to our cause. We must be suc- 
cessful, for it must be that the right is on our side. I would give 
anything to know and witness how gots the battle. A very warm 
day. 

31st. Saddled up and moved at 3 A. M. Crossed the Pam- 
unkey and took Hanover Court House. About two miles from 
town began skirmishing. At noon 2nd made a charge, driving the 
enemy and capturing some prisoners, skirmishing till about sun- 
down, when the brigade formed and charged the rebel position 
about the court house. I was on the left. Rode my horse. Firing 
very hot indeed. Rebels held a fence along a sunken road and 
several houses. 2nd charged this position. The number of dead 
(rebs) left upon the field told plainly the work we did. Rebels 
gave way. Came near capturing two pieces of artillery which 
played upon us till the last minute. Our regiment lost 25 in killed 
and wounded. Remained in position during night. In the morn- 
ing moved on towards Ashland. 

JUNE, 1864. 

June 1st. Skirmishing all the way to Ashland under Mcin- 
tosh. 5th N. Y. in advance. Soon after reaching Ashland rear 
was attacked. Then commenced a fight lasting till near sundown, 



118 War Diary 

when we left up the R. R. track by order of Gen. Wilson, w^ho was 
on the telegraph road with the remainder of Div. Reached Han- 
over C. H. about 11 P. M., the object of the movement being 
accomplished, viz. : bridges over the North Anna were destroyed. 
Again the 2nd 0. V. V. C. did splendidly — probably saving the 
Brigade, 

June 2nd. Lay in camp near Hanover C. H. at Dr. Price's 
till dark when we moved towards White House. Went into camp 
about 2 A. M. 

3rd. Reinforcements coming in rapidly via W. H. and also 
Fredericksburg. 13th 0. C. arrived. Saw paper of the 31st. 
News very encouraging. Reported move of rebel infantry around 
and to rear of Burnside's right. Guess old Grant has fixed it so 
as to give them a warm reception. Rained yesterday and last night. 
Our troops in good spirits. 2nd Brigade in our advance. Fought 
over the ground near Salem Church where our Cavalry Corps had 
a severe fight with rebel infantry the day they crossed the Pam- 
unkey. Col. Prescott, 1st Vermont, killed and Lt. Col. 1st Conn, 
wounded in the thigh. Rebs retreated beyond our fortifications. 
1st Brigade Battery fired a little. Moved up to the outer works 
and remained till night. 2nd Brigade formed over to the left 
nearly at right angles to Burnside's line. Three Divisions of rebel 
infantry, Heths of Ewell's Corps, Rhodes of Hill's, and one of 
Longstreet's charged the flank of Burnside. Rebs were repulsed 
with great slaughter. 2nd Brigade did splendidly. The cross fire 
of artillery and musketry just mowed down the rebels. 1st Brigade 
moved back and formed where we formed in the morning. Slept 
till morning. Letter from home, May 15. 

4th. Soon after daybreak Regt. moved up. Packs ordered 
up and breakfast got near the church. Regt. dismounted and put 
into the breastworks. Rebel cavalry charged and drove our boys 
from the first line of works, by flanking them. Soon column came 
up and rebs ran back. Had one killed and two or three wounded 
in their scrape. Tom came up in the evening, going back to the 
company, would like to go myself. About sundown the firing on 
Burnside's right was the most terrific I ever heard and continued 
for nearly half an hour. It must have been an assault. Am anx- 
ious to hear the result. Gen. Torbert's division of cavalry arrived. 
Regt. nearly all on duty. 

Sunday, 5th. Rainy and cool this morning. Would that I 
could see some of the dear home friends. A letter from Minnie 
Friday did us much good. Hear the glad result of the fighting 
last night. Rebels charged our center from five to eight times and 
every time were repulsed. Passed the day mostly under the fly, 
visiting with the boys, reading my testament and thinking over old 
times, troubles, joys, blessings, etc. The phantom form still haunts 
me day and night. Cleared off before sundown. All the commis- 
sary corps here now. Gen. Wilson remarked today to Gen, Sheri- 
dan that the 2nd Ohio was the best regiment in the Div., that the 5th 
N. Y. was formerly but it had to yield to the 2nd now. 



June, 1864 119 

6th. During the morning the corps fell back to "Old Church 
Tavern," near Newcastle on the Pamunkey to rest men and recruit 
horses. I went on to the train to see about forage, etc. Took sup- 
per with the boys. Like Capt. Viall very much. A very pleasant 
man but of little principle, I guess. Tom came back with me. He 
returned to company. 

7th. Our wagons came up. Went down again to train. Took 
four mules to draw forge. Q. M. away, so failed. Have worked 
pretty faithfully for a forge but yet without success. Saw Col. of 
2nd N. Y, this morning and borrowed a forge — temporarily. Got 
some clothing and shoeing tools. 

8th. Got an order from Col. Hammond and procured a forge 
of the 5th N. Y., an old one, shoes and nails. 2nd O. V. C. went 
out on picket. Relieved 1st Conn. Firing still continues at inter- 
vals along the line. Grant is getting siege guns up to the front. 
Everything looks encouraging. Railroad in progress. 

9th. Read in "Queen Mab," by Julia Kavanagh. Shoeing 
horses as rapidly as possible. A very sultry, oppressive day. A 
few drops of rain. Turned in to Capt. Viall 3 contraband mules 
temporarily. Hired David Brooks. 

10th. Friday. Cloudy this morning and a cool refreshing 
breeze stirring. Wrote a letter home. Would we could see the 
dear friends. Regt. relieved from picket. I feel happy and con- 
tented today. Would that these uneasy, dark, gloomy moments 
would never come again. Night of the 4th dreamed of a lost friend. 

11. Wrote to Fred Allen, and Watson Jones. Big mail came. 
Whole month. Big feast. 

12th. Wrote a letter of apology to Mr. Brown, our former 
chaplain. Would my temper, etc., never got the upper hand of me. 
Read Independents. Afternoon ordered to move in evening. Sent 
off train. Our Regt. in rear till midnight. 

13th. In the morning our regiment left at White House road 
on picket and rear guard. Several prisoners. Whole army moved. 
Rear guard until we crossed the Chickahominy, a narrow, swampy, 
insignificant stream. Remained near the river — south bank — till 
dark. Moved on towards Charles City C. H. — camping from 2 
A. M. till daylight. 

14th. Moved on to Charles City, and drew one-half day's 
rations of provisions. Remained saddled till 3 P. M. when we moved 
back on the Richmond road to the junction of Richmond and Harri- 
son Landing roads. Remained saddled at some church till morn- 
ing. Hasty breakfast. 

15th. Moved out on Richmond road, and Malvern Hill road 
till we encountered the enemy. Six companies of our regiment on 
extreme left skirmish line — rest in reserve, till the 18 P. V. were 
driven back in a little disorder ; then the six companies were 
ordered in. So much confusion on part of 18th that we were into 
the rebs or they into us before we knew it. Then came confusion 
of orders. Our boys saw rebel infantry. Did them some damage. 



120 War Diary 

By order fell back a few rods and then held our line. One of Co. 
A killed and one of Co. M wounded. After one-half hour ordered 
to fall back. Nettleton's Batt. holding the rebs — mounted — 2 men 
wounded and 3 horses killed. Awfulest place for a fight we were 
ever in. Very thick pine brush and few trees. Woods on fire and 
smoke almost intolerable. Got out well. Fell back to junction 
of roads. I dismounted to fight. 2nd Ohio on picket. Co. M. or- 
dered back to Smith's store where we had fought. Rebs came in 
rear. Killed Sergt. Edson. One missing. Quiet till morning. Deep 
sleep. Rations issued. We failed to get any. Oh this is the most 
fatiguing work we ever did. 

16th. Engineer Corps came out and made fortifications. 2nd 
had strong works. Co. D left in a fort thing built by Co. in evening 
over night. Just at dusk before regt. fell back, rebels came out to 
open place and we gave them a volley. Co. D withdrew to works 
soon after daylight — rebs appearing in force. Great deal of sport. 
Rebs came down to mill. Our boys would fire and they would aim 
to kill. Dropped one horse and probably one man. Withdrew at 
dark to Charles City Landing, arriving at 3 a. m., horses having 
remained under the saddle 108 hours with no feed and little graz- 
ing, horses very weak. Report that Petersburg had been captured 
— false. 

17th. Moved soon after daylight across the James River on 
pontoon bridges. River full of boats, splendid river. Camped 
till 3 P. M. Drew rations and forage. Moved to 4 miles of Peters- 
burg, other brigade too. Camped at 10 P, M. till morning. 

18th. At 4 A. M. moved out on Sussex C. H. road and camped 
8 miles from Petersburg. In evening drew rations and forage. In 
P. M. awful connonading and musketry, the most terrific we have 
yet heard. Already last night we held all but the inner line of 
works. Captured 22 guns and many prisoners. Report that the 
blacks captured one fort with 4 guns, and killed all the garrison. 
Yesterday was almost sick, am better today, but weak. Awful bad 
water for a few days. Oh the anxiety to know the result of the 
fighting today. God grant us success. 

19th. Sunday. Bathed and washed shirt and drawers. Read 
some in the Acts of the Apostles. Went to headquarters with 
Purington. 

20th. Moved camp into the woods to the left of the old camp 
in the open field. Major Nettleton attacked with dysentery. Letter 
last night from George, the night before, from home. Both wel- 
come. Drew two days' forage. 

21st. Tuesday. Wrote home and to George's people in Tenn. 
Saw Gen. Kautz. He came over to pay us a visit. It seemed good 
to shake his hand and talk with him once more. Hope that we can 
be transferred to his command. He encouraged us. Preparations 
for a big move tomorrow by the cavalry. May success attend us. 
Kautz thinks that Richmond is a certain capture. Very hot day. 
Maj. N. goes to hospital, best man in our Regt., brave, upright, 



June, 1864 121 

modest, dignified and sound in principles and morals. Would the 
same could be said of more of our officers. 

22nd. Up last night till midnight issuing oats, etc., and draw- 
ing clothing. Regt. up at 1 A. M. and moved at 2. Moved through 
byroads around to the Jerusalem Plank road across to Reams' 
Station on the Weldon and Petersburg R. R. having crossed the 
Norfolk R. R. Burned the station and water tanks and a quantity 
of wood. Moved off to Dinwiddle C. H. and then across the coun- 
try to the Petersburg and Lynchburg R. R. Destroyed several 
miles of track, tearing up much and burning fence rails on the 
rest. Don't think this did much good. Kautz captured two trains 
of cars loaded with furniture, etc., from Petersburg. Went into 
camp at 11 and remained till 1:30 A. M. (This began the famous 
and rather disastrous "Wilson's Raid.") 

23rd. Moved on the R. R. destroying as we went till noon, 
when we got dinner. 12 miles from iBurkesville a rebel force under 
W. H. Lee as reported of about 2000 cavalry got between Kautz 
and Wilson. Fight commenced immediately and lasted till dark — 
our brigade in rear. Drove the rebs at dark in a charge — our regt. 
on picket and in support of a battery. Got a good night's rest. 
Pickets firing all the time. 

24th. At 3 A. M. breakfasted. Column moved out on Meher- 
rin road — our Regt. the rear guard. Reached the station at 4 P. M. 
On picket. Troops destroyed the track as they advanced. Road 
made of stringers and bar iron spiked on. Destruction almost 
complete. Disturbed but little on picket. 

25th. Up early and moved at 4 A. M. 2nd Brigade in rear. 
Passed through Keysville at 5 a. m. Took a detail of 20 men away 
from column for horses and mules. A great many men dismounted 
in the heat of yesterday. Went 6 or 7 miles to the right of the 
R. R. Passed through a very rich and beautiful country. Never 
saw more splendid crops. Went to Charlotte C. H. (Charlotte 
(Co.) C. H. is given as Marysville on war maps, and in Century 
Atlas as Smithville.) Detachment of 2nd N. Y. broke open stores, 
released two civil prisoners and did many things out of the way. 
Our boys did not indulge in one thing disgraceful to my knowledge. 
People complimented us very highly. Seemed very thankful that we 
were so kind to them. They seemed perfectly surprised that we did 
not burn and rob. What a shame that Southern papers should de- 
ceive the country so in regard to our army. Got dinner at Mrs. 
Smith's, very pleasant and kind. Wanted my name, for she should 
always remember me with a feeling of kindness and obligation. Son 
in Wise's brigade. Rejoined the column near Mossing Ford with 
about 25 mules and horses. All the stock and carriages had been run 
farther oft". Many pretty girls in town, some refugees from Freder- 
icksburg. Most of them had been north and had dear friends there. 
Dressed neatly, pleasant and educated. Pleased with the trip. 
Halted one mile from the Staunton river. Artillery firing. Rode up 
to the front with Col. Purington. Rebels fortified on west bank of 



122 War Diary 

the river. Heavy fort on one side of the R. R. and a battery on the 
other. Entrenchments right on the bank of the river. Our boys 
on the east bank without protection. Our batteries in prominent 
position commanding bridge and reb works. Quite a duel. Our 
boys suffered from grape and canister. Reb force supposed to be 
about 1000 mihtia and 300 regulars. At 11 moved by our batteries 
in easy range of reb batteries up the river R. R. crossing covered 
with hay to muffle the sound. Depot buildings full of wounded. 
Moved on to Wylliesburg, arriving at daylight. 

26th. Kautz left the Staunton just before daylight. Passed 
through Christianville, getting a good supply of corn and oats. 
Crossed the south fork of the Meherrin river and camped. All 
quiet. 

27th. Moved out early in the morning. Encountered rebs 
about noon. Encamped an hour. 2nd Ohio on picket. Moved 
nearly all night. Stopped from 1 :30 till 3. 8 miles from Lawrence- 
ville. 

28th. D. and L. companies extremes. 2nd Ohio in advance. 
Stopped at one rich plantation thoroughly secesh. Col. said to the 
lady of the house, "We are out foraging today and are coming 
down here to live soon." She said, "I guess Gen. Lee will have 
something to say about that." Crossed the Nottoway at the double 
bridge. After crossing Stony Creek encountered rebels in force. 
2nd soon in. Charged — drove rebs. Rebs charged back again and 
drove us. Brigade dismounted and went into the woods and soon 
into the open fields and drove the rebs back some distance. 2nd 
Batt. in picket. After firing moved up to a house and lane and 
formed. Advanced. Soon close and heavy work. Night came on. 
Boys hastily built breastworks of rails 50 yds from rebs. Soon our 
Regt. was reduced to 50 or 60 men who lay upon their faces till 
midnight, when the line withdrew a little. I was mounted for some 
time in the lane and behind the house, firing and carrying orders 
till the line advanced when I dismounted and led forward with the 
line. Awful hot. Horse got away once. Before midnight my lungs 
began to bleed so badly that I mounted and went back to Artillery 
and then to a fire. Several very heavy volleys by the rebs — said 
to be infantry. 

29th. By daylight, all our force save three Regts. and brigade 
for rear guard had moved out towards Ream's Station. Heavy fir- 
ing in rear. Soon heard that rebs had got between horses and men 
and captured nearly all. Reached Ream's Station about noon. Reb- 
els in heavy force, cavalry and infantry. Longstreet's Corps being 
along the railroad to Weldon. Kautz went on in morning to take 
position. Sent back word that the command could not get through. 
Wilson said we must. Soon organized to charge through. Then 
this was given up. 5th N. Y. partly dismounted and part in re- 
serve. Same with 2nd Ohio. Then mounted as reserve. Wilson 
got ready to leave by the road we came — burned the wagons and 



June, 1864 123 

moved on. Soon rebs came on dismounted in our rear. Very 
heavy force. Moved off regularly towards the battery, which opened 
with grape and canister. Moved up to Kautz' division through 
the woods. Col. absent — don't know why. Kautz said the orders 
were to get out the best way possible. Columns moved near to- 
gether. Moved to the southwest to near Stony Creek Station 
and crossed the R. R. Advance charged the rebs, Kautz had 
considerable fighting at first. Soon after crossing the R. R. rebs 
came upon our rear and we had a run of several miles — 5th Penn. 
and Detachments of several regts. — Col. West in command. No 
advance or rear guard. Had I been a line officer, I should have or- 
ganized a force rear guard. Did propose the thing to Capt. Easton, 
but he couldn't see it. Held up and walked determined if there 
were any more firing to fall out and call upon 2nd Ohio and wait. 
Tom Wood, brave and true boy, fell out with several others and 
formed rear guard when almost within our lines. Rebs in ambush 
fired upon them and killed Tom. Poor fellow. How sorry I am for 
his young wife. Camped soon after passing our picket. 

30th. Moved on to the 2nd Corps inside of the entrenchments. 
6th Corps moved out too late yesterday to relieve us. Tore up sev- 
eral miles of the Welden R. R. We are satisfied with our work. 
Several miles on the south side R. R. and 25 or 30 miles of the Dan- 
ville R. R. Sorry that we could not get out without so much loss. 
Blame Wilson. No grain and no day's rations. 



JULY, 1864. 

July 1st. Got a light ration of forage. Lay in the dirt all 
day. Bought some rations and got some sanitary stores. Got 
along well. Ordered to move in the morning at 6. 

2nd. Rations of forage and commissary. Marched about 8. 
Went by the 9th Corps. Maj. Seward, Meeks, Thede and I rode over 
to Wilcox's Div. and saw Reeve Spencer. Went up to the line and 
saw the 60th Ohio. Got popped at twice by sharpshooters, and were 
careful too. Took dinner with Reeve. Our works strong but rebel 
works full as strong and occupying more commanding ground and 
much of the ground in rear of our 1st line. Sharpshooters doing 
much damage. About 20 hit each day in the Div. Interested in 
the heavy works taken by the 18th Corps and by the Darkies. 
Saw quite an artillery duel between a heavy battery on our side 
and reb battery on the other side of Appomattox. Petersburg in 
plain view. Splendid time. Rode down to City Point and thence 
to Light House Point where we found our corps, about 200 2nd 0. V. 
V. C. quite encouraging. The Detachments came down behind us. 

3rd. Went to City Point with Kelly. Had a real good visit 
with Brother John. Seemed splendid to see him. Got back to the 
corps about dusk. Visited the Sanitary. Big thing. (Prof. John 
M. Ellis was serving on the Christian Commission at City Point.) 



124 War Diary 

4th. Spent the day very quietly in camp. Have been great 
rumors as to today's proceedings, but nothing has occurred as 
we hear. 

5th. Marsh came down and stayed to dinner. Moved camp 
a mile. A very hot day indeed. Good visit with Marsh. Better 
camp. 

6th. Passed the day quietly in camp. Spencer here today. 
Very warm. In a shady place. Nice bower and shade trees in 
afternoon. 

7th. Got clothing and issued. Not very well today. Have had 
several good games of chess with Major. Wrote to Roxena yes- 
terday. 

8th. Barber was sick so Bob and Thede got dinner. Very 
warm day. Did very little. Read some. 

9th. Finished a letter to Uncle Albert. Not as neat and 
concise as I wish it were. I am too apt to hurry my work of all 
kinds — I must be more guarded. Thede went down to see John. 

10th. Took the inspected horses to Quartermaster Stone and 
turned them in — 79 to be receipted for by Lt. Spangler. Had a good 
bath. Read several articles in the Atlantic. My eyes are occasion- 
ing me considerable trouble. Have thought of home a good deal to- 
day. Many of the officers are thinking of going home when their 
three years' term expires. Of course it would be pleasant to go 
home as soon as possible, but many officers promised their men that 
they would remain with them. I don't know what I shall do. I 
could not go to Oberlin to stay and I have no desire to go elsewhere 
and I think for the present every man able should bear arms. 

11th. Was busy in the morning. Went to Q. M.'s and C. S.'s. 
Thought some of going to see John, but gave up the idea. Wrote 
home. Thede wrote too. Read some in Atlantic. Played game of 
"Seven Up" with Lukins. 

12th. Drew and issued clothing. Very sultry day. Sprinkled 
this morning and tonight. Wrote to Tom Wood's wife. Nettleton 
went to Point. Good many rumors about our going away North, 
and others. 

13th. Wrote home and to Hugh Beer's wife. More clothing. 

14th. Papers of the 13th. Grand panic in Baltimore and 
Washington. 

15th. Extra men moved near Hdqrs. John came down and 
remained over night. Splendid time. Brought stores for Regt. 

16th. Rode to City Point with John. Visited the hospitals of 
5th Corps with him. Good time. Enjoyed it much. Saw Hamilton. 
Surg. N. Y. Regt. Eyes quite sore. 

17th. Spent the day very quietly in camp, over Independents 
and other papers. Wrote home and to Lucy Randall Campbell. 

18th. Relieved the 1st N. H. on picket near Cox's Mills. Major 
Nettleton,, while relieving pickets, had hoi se shot. Lt. 1st N. H. 
killed by his side. Guerrilas in ambush. Hdqrs. in a pleasant shady 
yard. 



July, 1864 125 

19th. Played some at chess and read a little in Shakespeare. 
Eyes quite weak. Letters from home and Floy. Quiet. Heavy 
firing in direction of Petersburg. Rained almost all day. 

20th. All quiet with the pickets. Played some at chess. Read 
papers and "Othello." Wrote to Ella Clark. 

21st. 2nd N. Y. and 1st Conn, came out early and relieved 
us. Beat Col. P. a game of chess. Camped in the woods near our 
old camp. We have a nice place. 

22nd. Transferred forge to 3rd Jersey. Thede and I rode 
to City Point. Bigelow and we took dinner with John. Pleasant 
time. Visited Capt. Dorsey. Enjoyed the ride. 

23rd. Saturday. Nettleton went to the Point yesterday so he 
did not go down this evening for John. 

24th. Sunday. A. M. went to the Point for John. He came 
out and preached for us at 4 P. M. Goodly number out. Excellent 
remarks. A. B. and I rode back with him and remained over night 
on account of rain. Horse fell upon my leg going down. No se- 
rious harm. Came near breaking it. Good visit with John. Saw 
Dorsey. 

25th. Monday. Waited till 10 o'clock and saw John off. 
Started for home. We envy him. Would we could go too. Got 
home about noon. In the evening marched to left of the army and 
relieved a brigade of the 2nd Div. on picket. Our regiment on the 
right of the brigade. 

26th. Day spent improving the picket line, etc. Word came 
in P. M. that rebs were preparing for a movement on the left. 
Caution ordered. No demonstration. 

27th. In morning accompanied Col. P. and Maj. N. on a 
tour to visit our line, and brigade of infantry. Rebs in plain view. 
No firing in front of infantry for two weeks. 

28th. Boys exchanged papers with Johnnies. Got one of the 
27th. No news. Have played chess considerably for a week or two. 
Have not been victor for a few days. 

29th. Friday. The Major went down to see friends in the 
18th Corps, a failure. I thought of accompanying him but through 
a blunder didn't go. My eyes have occasioned me much trouble of 
late. At 10 P. M. Thede and I made our way to 9th Corps Hdqrs. 
to see affair reported to come off in morning. 

30th. Got a sightly position in front of the 18th Corps where 
all points of interest were in view. Lay till sunrise upon one of 
the leveled forts, a cannon ball visiting the vicinity frequently. 
Just at sunrise a cloud of dust and dirt rising suddenly into the 
air, followed by a distant rumble, gave us warning that the work 
had commenced. The dust had hardly reached its height when 200 
guns opened. The scene was wonderfully grand. We watched for 
two hours. We couldn't see the maneuvering of troops. As the 
fort went up, the 9th Corps went in with a yell, and took the works 
where the opening was made. The colored troops charged on 
against the next line and were repulsed with great slaughter. Many 



126 War Diary 

regard the whole thing as a failure. Returned to camp. (This 
refers to one of the most spectacular and unsuccessful events of the 
war — Burnside's explosion of a mine under Mahone's rebel division 
and forts in front of Petersburg. This "crater" is still a "show" 
place. 1911. A. B. N.). 

31st. Sunday. Relieved from picket and marched to Brigade 
Hdqrs. Camped in woods. Fixed a bower. A very hot day, yes- 
terday too. Report that the portion of the enemy's works occupied 
after mine explosion was abandoned today by order of Gen Grant. 
Received letters from Mr. Brown and my good Sarah Felton, also 
notes from Ed and Otto. 

August 1st. Monday. Commenced a letter to Sarah. Wrote 
home. Regt. remained saddled some time in the morning in an- 
ticipation of an attack. Went on picket in evening. 



AUGUST, 1864. 

2nd. Finished a letter to Sarah. My eyes are so weak that I 
can use them but very little. 

3rd. Received papers of 1st claiming a grand victory here — 
all bosh — sorry. Some one is much at fault that the grand plan 
of July 30, 1864, failed. Grant seems to have used the best strat- 
egy and skill. Who is at fault will soon be determined. ' Visited 
the picket line. Saw the Johnnies. Many amusing incidents occur 
daily. As our line fell back July 30 the rebel line advanced. When 
we went back Johnnies occupied one of our posts. Had saluted 
the sergeant and asked if we intended establishing our old line and 
carelessly fell back. Today Johnnies and our men gather apples 
from the same trees. Boys trade tobacco, coffee and many things. 

4th. Thursday. Letters received from Mr. Charles Wood 
and Mrs. Beers. Regt. relieved in the night. 

5th. Friday. Brigade marched at sunrise. Relieved by 2nd 
Div. Reached City Point before noon. 18th P. V. embarked for 
Washington. 2nd Ohio went to Landing. On board and anchored 
off the Point. Took a bath before leaving wharf. While hastily 
looking for Col. P. for detail to load oats, I accidentally walked off 
into the river. Had my revolver on and coat and pants in my arms. 
Soon found a board nailed upon a pile and hung on till helped out. 
Lost my hat. God is kind. I owe him gratitude for saving me. 
(This was the beginning of Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley cam- 
paign in which the 2nd Ohio was prominent.) 

6th. Saturday. A very pleasant ride down the James. 
Rounded Lighthouse Point. Soon passed Harrison's Landing, then 
Fort Powhatan and Wilcox's Landing. Here danger from reb 
guns ceased. The old Jamestown site on left bank, a few chimneys 
still standing. Newport near where the Merrimac fight came off, 
Cumberland and Congress sunk. Sewall's Point across, eight 
miles down Fortress Monroe. Went ashore. Everything carried 



August, 1864 127 

on in the finest style. Splendid fort, having an armament of over 
200 guns and "The Union'' monster gun which fired a shot from 
Fort Monroe to Sewall's Point, 8 miles. Ripraps still progressing. 
A splendid fort built in center of stream on the shoals, Gov't pris- 
oners at work on it. Through Hampton Roads into the Chesapeake 
and Atlantic. Passing Old Point Comfort, the bay is very wide. 
Saw an American and English frigate and a French gunboat. An 
English cutter manned by 8 or 10 fellows in white came ashore. 
Reached Point Lookout about sundown, the ironclad Roanoke lying 
off the point. Up the river, 12 miles, and anchored for the night. 
A most pleasant trip. Stormed enough to roughen the bay a little. 
Good fare upon the boat. Pass hundreds of boats, most of them 
making their way to City Point, I suppose. Phosphorus. 

7th. Sunday. Moved up the Potomac. Had a good view of 
Mt. Vernon. A beautiful location. Passed Fort Washington. 
Reached Giesboro about noon. Moved up to the woods between 
Camp Stoneman and Washington. Got forage and settled down. 

8th. Put in an estimate for clothing and drew forage. 

9th. Tuesday. Thede sold his horse. Went over to town and 
procured some clothing. 

10th. Wednesday. Had charge of the dock and disembarking 
of troops at the wharf. Rode to town near evening. 

11th. Retained my order for duty but was allowed to go to 
town. Tried to find Mr. Mills' and Mr. Holtslander's but A. B. gave 
me the wrong directions. Filled up my requisition and went to 
Washington and drew clothing. Visited the Capitol. 

12th. Friday. Drew and issued more clothing during the day. 
At 5 P. M. division moved. A. B., Thede and I went ahead. Had 
two dishes of ice cream at expense of George Palmer. Went to the 
depot and saw 150 0. N. G. starting home. It makes us almost 
homesick and yet we do not envy them much. Called at Mr. Holts- 
lander's — away. Then at Mr. Mills'. Much pleased with the fam- 
ily — pretty children — Flint, Leof and Lyra. Marched 15 miles. 
Crossed the river at Chain Bridge. Went into camp about mid- 
night. 

13th. Saturday. Awfully warm. Lay in camp till 4 P. M. 
Had charge of brigade train. Rained. 

14th. Sunday. Got into camp at noon. Lay all day near 
Dranesville. 

15th. Monday. Brigade commenced pulling out before day- 
light. 1st Brigade in rear. Passed through Leesburg about 3 P. M. 
Once a very wealthy little town apparently, now old and rusty. 
Very noted for rebel sympathy. Saw several pretty ladies. 
Camped near Purcellville. In P. M. near Leesburg one wagon got 
behind and two rebels jumped out upon the road, stripped a ser- 
geant of his arms and clothes and took four mules. Rear guard was 
too far behind. 

16th. Tuesday. Marched at daylight. Passed through Berry- 
ville, where Moseby burned 40 wagons for the 19th Corps a few 



128 War Diary 

days since. Div, Q. M. Cole went to Harper's Ferry with empty 
wagons for supplies, leaving the Div. train, etc., under my charge. 
Moved on the road to Front Royal. Camped about midnight. 

17th. We moved out at daylight. Passed White Post and 
turned towards Winchester, which we reached about noon. Train 
passed through and camped on Berry ville road. Major Seward re- 
ported to escort the train. Moved at 5 P. M. 1st Cav. Div. and 3rd 
and one brigade of infantry in line south of town. Skirmishing 
till dark, when rebs charged on skirmish line on left and captured 
a good many prisoners. Major Nettleton acted as rear guard 
through town. Lost one killed, Johnson, and 8 wounded. Com- 
mand got through town in haste. Col. Purington and Dutton again 
skedaddled, guess they will hear from it this time. Moved to Sum- 
mit Point, 16 miles from Harper's Ferry. Rained during the night. 

18th. Thursday. Division came up. Moved east of town to 
give it opportunity to take position. Unharnessed most of the 
day. Visited some with Major Nettleton. Had a good night's rest. 

19th. Friday. Have settled several claims during yesterday 
and today. Two girls just came with a hay account. If we remain 
here it will be pleasant to call there. Harnessed before noon. Our 
pickets driven. Read "Roue" by Bulwer. 

20th. Saturday. Spent the day quietly in camp. A little 
skirmishing between pickets. Rebels reported moving on Martins- 
burg. Some talk about officers in regt. Rained. 

21st. Sunday. Pickets driven in early. 2nd sent to support 
the 3rd N. J. Suffered some. Train ordered back one mile. Went 
back. Found rebels in possession of Charlestown road, one mile 
further. Sent out a picket from an escort with ambulance train, and 
made a little reconnoissance, discovering a small rebel force. Soon 
two regiments in charge of half a dozen aides came back to guard 
the train through. Laughable time. Passed through Charlestown 
and by order of Gen. Torbert, went on to Bolivar Heights, near 
Harper's Ferry. Major N. sick and along with us. Got a supper 
in town. 

22nd. Monday. Breakfast at a house near camp. Went over 
and saw Lt. Cole, a division Q. M. Went to the Ferry, drew for- 
age for animals. 2nd Ohio was on picket last night, deployed as 
skirmishers, 2 miles west of Charlestown. At daylight attacked by 
the rebels. Capt. Denning, the brave man, and Henry Drake, the 
noble and true soldier, mortally wounded, poor men. All forces 
fell back. Went out with forage in P. M. I feel it almost a duty 
to return to some of the dangers of the officers of the line. 

23rd. Tuesday. Lu went back to the regt. Remained with the 
brigade all night. Returned to train in time for breakfast. Moved 
train over to Cole's. Went with Bob to barbershop. Sent Barber 
to his company yesterday. Ficklin has taken his place and is do- 
ing splendidly. War news seems favorable. Reports that the en- 
emy are retreating down the valley, also that he has turned towards 
Washington, former probably true. Lee cannot spare so many 



September, 1864 129 

men. Cavalry force, 2nd Ohio a part, sent out light on reconnois- 
sance. 

24th. Wednesday. A beautiful day, a little hazy. Forage is- 
sued. Boys sent to Frederick to look up brigade train. Fears of 
its capture. Train arrived. Boys came down to shoe horses. 

25th. Intended to join the regiment, but heard that it had 
gone out early on a reconnoissance. Eggleston remained with me. 
Maj. N. came up after dark tired out. Train pulled out in night 
and Div. crossed the river. 

26th. Moved out at daylight. Overtook the command before 
it reached Boonsboro. Called on Bayard and Babcock. Was up 
on Maryland Heights day before yesterday. Camped at Boonsboro. 

27th. Rained last night. Thunder heavy. Moved through 
Sharpsburg and over the Antietam battle ground. Turned towards 
Williamsport and camped three miles from Sharpsburg. 

28th. Sunday. Reveille at 2 A. M. Breakfasted and were on 
the road at daylight. Our Brig, in advance. Passed through S. 
Rebels in retreat. Overtook the infantry on Jamestown road. 
Camped at C. 

29th. Up early but did not march. Considerable firing in di- 
rection of Smithfield. No reports. Good news in papers. 

30th. Marched at 12 :30. Received letter from Mrs. T. Wood. 
Camped at Berryville. 

31st. At daylight went on a reconnoissance towards Win- 
chester. Found rebs and drove them to their main body on the 
Opequon. No one hurt. Very spirited little affair. 



SEPTEMBER, 1864 

1st. Lay in camp all day. In evening relieved 3rd Jersey on 
picket. Busy most all night drawing oats. 

2nd. Friday. At daylight fell back. Left the main road. 
Passed through Kabletown and reached the fortified position 3 
miles from C. On picket two miles toward B. Nicely settled down, 
when ordered to march. Reached B. about midnight. 5th N. Y. 
had skirmish with pickets. 

3rd. Saturday. Soon after daylight moved out. Passed 
through Millwood and White Post, two miles, and returned to M. 
and camped. Rained. Moseby has gathered up quite a number of 
our men within a few days. 

4th. Sunday. Moved back by road. Rebs at Berryville and 
in our rear. 2nd Ohio train guard. Custer's brigade suffered some. 
Train moved to Rippon. Parked. 

5th. Monday. Moved back to B. last night. Rained, Drivers 
and dead-beats got scared and pulled out very quickly before we 
moved. In line on left of infantry. Skirmishing soon after day- 
light. News of fall of Atlanta. All jubilant. Lay in camp till 
P. M. then went on picket. Rainy and very unpleasant. Boys suf- 
fered. Sat upon their horses and at the foot of trees all night. 



130 War Diary 

6th. Tuesday. Relieved at dark. Spent the day getting 
papers signed. Letter from home. Oats and rations. Not in camp 
till after dark. Pleasant place. 

7th. Wednesday. Division moved out at 4:30. Our regiment 
in rear, reconnoissance. Went within two miles of Winchester, 
found the enemy and returned — sharp firing. In camp at dark. 

8th. Thursday. Rainy and cool. Lay still all day. Read 
"Charles Vivasseur." Wagons came up, oats and rations. Wrote 
home and to Mrs. Wood. 

9th. Friday. Moved camp, beautiful place on left and rear of 
infantry. Busy. Regiment not to be consolidated. 

10th. Saturday. Busy over monthly papers. Letter from 
home. Fixed up my commissary returns.^ 

11th. Sunday. Spent the day quietly in camp. Read papers 
and "Lady of the Lake." 

12th. Monday. Regt. went out on a scout to Millwood. Re- 
mained in camp. Read some and worked. Considerable rain for 
two or three days. Cold nights. 

13th. Beautiful, clear morning. Brigade on a scout. Took 
in a S. Carolina regt. The 2nd Ohio charged them (Infantry) driv- 
ing them into a little piece of woods and surrounding them. Whole 
line of battle in sight. The Col. and 145 men surrendered, our loss 
slight. In good spirits. 

14th. Wednesday. Regt. was on picket near Berryville. Went 
to Harper's Ferry with forges. 

15th. Thursday. Returned to Berryville. Rode rapidly with- 
out company most of the way. 

16th. Remained in camp. Read and wrote. 

17th. Saturday. Got officers to sign papers. Forges get 
back loaded. 

18th. Sent regt. wagons loaded to Ferry. Preparations to 
move. 2nd Ohio made a reconnoissance, driving rebs across the 
Opequon. All Q, M.s ordered to Ferry with wagons. Houghton 
told me there was business on hand and the General would like me 
for aide. Soon an order came for me to report. I was pleased. 
Moved out and then back into camp over night. 

(Battle of Winchester) 

19th. Monday. Moved at 2 A. M. Slept with Houghton. 
Reached the Opequon about daylight, 2nd N. Y. charging. After 

^In my possession are a large number of these duplicate packages of 
"Monthly Returns of Quartermasters Stores," "Monthly Returns of Clothing, 
Camp and Garrison Equipage, Abstracts, Vouchers," etc., etc., all carefully 
assorted and securely fastened. (F. D. T.) The following is a copy of one 
of the vouchers: "I certify on honor that during the months of November and 
December, 1864, the following quartermasters' stores were necessarily expend- 
ed under my direction in Co. C, 2nd Ohio Cav. : 113, one hundred and thirteen 
grain sacks (worn). During the greater portion of this time our Regiment 
has been continually moving and these sacks have been used for bedding, for 
horses and men. Luman H. Tenney, 

Capt. 2nd Ohio Cav. 
Camp Russell, Va., December 30, 1864. Com'd'g Co. C." 



October, 1864 131 

this, constant charging till we drove a rebel brigade of infantry 
from fortified position. Very hard fighting. Gen. Mcintosh always 
in the van. When Gen. Sheridan came up he patted Mc. on shoulder 
and said, "You have done nobly." Moved to left. More charging 
on flank. Gen. Mc. and Chapman wounded. Purington in com- 
mand. Just before dark whole rebel force was routed. Followed 
8 miles and camped. 

20th. Followed up, picking up stragglers. Halted near Front 
Royal. 

21st. Wednesday. At daylight in fog crossed the river at a 
charge, driving Wickham's brigade. Came upon their force in 
strong position, 8 miles, reb battery. 

22nd. Rebs at Milford, fortified. Whole Cav. corps up. Skir- 
mishing all day. At night fell back. Great victory by infantry. 

23rd. Friday. Withdrew to Buckton across the South Fork. 
Had we only gone in yesterday, what success. Moved back near 
Milford. Camp at 12 P. M. 

24th. After breakfast moved on. 1st and 2nd in advance, 
rebel works strong. Crossed the South Fork and camped in Mas- 
sanutten Gap. Passed Luray. Captured some prisoners. 

25th. Went through the gap to New Market. Clothing and 
rations. Marched to Harrisonburg. Infantry here. 

26th. Monday. Marched to Staunton, 3rd Div., Regular bri- 
gade 1st and 2nd Div. went to Port Republic. 

27th. Tuesday. Burned R. R. and stores. Captured Com'y 
and Q. M. stores. Quite a time. Visited rebel hospital. Deaf and 
Dumb Asylum, and Insane Asylum. Marched to Waynesboro in eve. 

28th. Wednesday. Tore up R. R. and iron bridge. Near dark 
rebs came up the valley and attacked. Reb infantry got on our 
flank. Had to run a gauntlet. 2nd Ohio and 3rd N. J. rear guard. 
Through Staunton. 

29th. Thursday. Marched on back road to Bridgewater. 

30th. Friday. Rainy day. Borrowed "Charles O'Malley." 



OCTOBER, 1864 

1st. Saturday. My birthday. Would I could see Ma and sis- 
ters. God bless them. Gen. W. relieved by Gen. Custer. Gen. W. 
ordered to Gen. Sherman, Chief of cavalry. 

2nd. Sunday. Changed camp. Not unsaddled before enemy 
came up and charged pickets through town. 2nd N. Y. and 18th 
P. V. charged back, driving rebs over abutments into the river. 
Moved back near Dayton. 

3rd. Saddled at 4 A. M. No demonstration. 

4th and 5th. Paymaster paid off 1st Conn. Drew 8 months' 
pay. Lt. Meigs of Sheridan's staff killed by guerrillas. 

6th. Moved back, burning every barn and stack on road. Fol- 
lowed closely. Camped near Brock's Gap. 5th N. Y. and 18th P. V. 
driven back. Considerable uneasiness during night. 



132 War Diary 

7th. Friday. Daylight advanced the line of pickets. Saw 
reb. Division massed, 2nd Brigade in rear. Attacked and broken 
in the P. M. 1st Brigade checked the rebs, lost some forges and 
sheep and cattle. Col. Pennington took command today. Camped 
at Columbia Furnace. 

8th. Saturday. Moved on at 6 A. M. 1st Brigade in rear. 
Rebs charged. 18th P. V., 2nd N. Y. charged back. Then Brigade 
formed for the regt. to come in. 18th lost some men, 15. 

9th. Sunday. Ma's birthday. God bless her and grant her 
many years to live. 55. Packs and train ordered back. Moved 
back to fight rebs. Found them at Tom's Brook hill. 5th N. Y. in 
advance. 3rd N. J. support. Line soon formed and advance 
sounded, then charged. Went in with 2nd Ohio. Completely routed 
the Johnnies and ran them pell-mell several miles, capturing 6 
pieces of artillery, 12 wagons, 14 ambulances, 154 prisoners. 1st 
Div. about the same success. 5 pieces of artillery. 

10th, Monday. Lay in camp at Tom's Brook. Letter from 
Minnie. Wrote home. Captured property sent to Strasburg. 

11th. Tuesday. In camp till 4 P. M. Moved to position on 
Cedar Creek, passing Fisher's Hill, via Pike and Strasburg. 
Camped near Middletown. 

12th. Wednesday. In camp all day. 

Report of Lee's Cav. Div. in Sept. : 

1st Va 171 

2nd '' 183 ^ Wickham's Brigade. 

3rd 160 

4th " 245 

5th " 183 

6th " 318 

15th " 110 ) Lomax' Brigade. 



1370 



W. H. F. Lee's Brigade, 9th Va., 10th Va. and 13th Va. 
Majors F. H. Furguson. 
George Frasier. 
Thomas Bower. 
Dr. A. C. Randolph. 
Capt. Chas. Cavendish. 
Lieut. Chas. Mummigerode. 
Lieut. Mason. 
13th. Thursday. Lay in camp all day. Forage. 
14th. Friday. Rebels made a reconnoissance along our whole 
line. 

15th. Saturday. Moved out to Brigade Hdqrs. in evening. 
Two boils. 2nd Ohio on picket. 

16th. Sunday. Returned to regt. Ordered to escort Sheridan 
to Piedmont. Remained in camp. Read some. 



October, 1864 133 

17th. Monday. In the morning rebs attacked pickets. Cap- 
tured Maj. Morey. 20 men. 

18th. Tuesday. All quiet. 2nd Ohio returned. 

19th. Wednesday. Firing again on picket. Turned out. At 
daylight heavy firing commenced on left with infantry. At 8 A. M. 
learned the infantry had fallen back in confusion, losing 24 pieces 
of artillery. 8th and 19th corps broken. 6th corps firm and in line. 
Cavalry went into position immediately and gave infantry time to 
form. Crossed the pike and formed again — under heavy fire all 
the time. Kept the position until Sheridan came up, then sent over 
to the right again. Charged rebel cavalry. Little before dusk 
whole line advanced — routing the rebs. Two regts. of 3rd Div. 
charged to the right, driving reb cavalry over Cedar Creek and the 
rest charging on right of 19th corps, 5th N. Y. in advance. Over- 
took the artillery and wagon trains, capturing it and many pris- 
oners. 

20th. Thursday. Pursued on back road 15 miles, picking up 
some prisoners. The victory complete. All worship Sheridan who 
turned a complete rout into the most complete victory of the war. 
Rebs panic stricken, not even forming at Fisher's Hill. Our loss 
in killed and wounded heavy. Gen. Ramseur mortally wounded. 
At our old camp. 

21st. Friday. Moved camp. Wrote a line home. Beautiful 
day. Letter from home yesterday. Regt. went on picket. 

22nd. Saturday. The Major started for home on leave of ab- 
sence. Wrote a line and sent my money, $750. 



Note — The modest entry under date of Oct. 19, 1864, refers to the historic 
battle of Cedar Creek, Va., when Sheridan made his famous ride on his black 
horse from Winchester, "twenty miles away," and saved the day. During 
Sheridan's temporary absence from his army. Gen. H. G. Wright, the next in 
command, permitted himself and the army to be totally surprised at three 
o'clock in the morning, by the recently defeated army of Gen. Jubal A. Early. 
The Union troops were nearly all sleeping in their tents when the enemy's 
cannon and musketry opened on them in a terrific onslaught at close range. 
The Union artillery was mainly captured, nearly 5,000 Union soldiers killed 
and captured, and our army, except the Cavalry and one Division of Infantry, 
started in panic and confused retreat towards Winchester in the rear — where 
Sheridan had spent the previous night. Up to that point the event had been 
one of the greatest Union disasters of the war. But about 10 o'clock in the 
morning Sheridan arrived on the field in the dramatic manner described in 
the poem, "Sheridan's Ride," and instantly all was reversed. Meanwhile the 
Cavalry, which had not been involved in the surprise and panic and slaughter, 
being encamped on the right and left flanks of the army out of the line of the 
attack of Early, had promptly been ordered to the center and front, where 
they held the Confederates back from further pursuit until Sheridan's arrival. 
Sheridan's presence promptly restored confidence. The retreating and dis- 
organized troops quickly rallied, and by 3 P. M. a general charge was ordered 
all along the line occupying some four miles front. The Cavalry charge on this 
occasion was the finest performance and spectacle at any time witnessed by 
the writer during the war. The astonished and recently victorious Confeder- 
ates broke in confusion, their retreat was a worse panic than that of the 
Union army in the early morning. All our artillery was retaken from the 
enemy and some thirty cannon captured in addition, besides great numbers of 
prisoners and the entire wagon train of Early. Early's army never made an- 
other serious rally. — A. B. N. 



134 War Diary 

23rd. Sunday. Rode to Army Hdqrs. and to fortifications. 
Artillery parked near Hdqrs. Read Independents. Splendid ser- 
mon by Rev. R. W. Hitchcock. "Blessed be the Lord who teacheth 
my hands to war and my fingers to fight." 

24th. Monday. Rode to several Hdqrs. with Adj. Pike. Wat- 
son and Pearson mustered out. Read papers and letter from home. 

25th. Tuesday. Teams came up. Seems good. Hurrying up 
Q. M. papers. Letter from Ella Clark. 

26th. Wednesday. In camp. Regt. not picket. Cloudy. Pay- 
master came. 

27th. Thursday. Regt. paid off. Drew pay for Sept. and 
Oct. On picket. Clothing drawn but not issued. Rainy. 

28th. Friday. Regt. came in and drew clothing. Wrote to 
Will, Fred and C. G. and D. R. H. Letter from Will, one month on 
way. 

29th. Saturday. Wrote to Grandpa and Watson Jones. 

30th. Sunday. Received order relieving me from Q. M. duty 
and assigned to Co. C. McBride a Q. M. Desire to do God's will. 

31st. Monday. Spent the day in camp. Wrote home. Read 
some in "Dombey & Son." A great deal of poker going on, com- 
mencing with Hdqrs. 



NOVEMBER, 1864 

1st. Went on picket in P. M. Board of survey in A. M. Beau- 
tiful day. Busy on returns. 

2nd. Wednesday. All quiet. Reheved in P. M. Raw cold 
day. Dreamed of F. last night. Grief of soul. 

3rd. Thursday. A rainy day. Read and wrote on papers. 
Was at Brig. Hdqrs. 

4th. Friday. Went out with forage detail over in Little North 
Valley. 

5th. Saturday. In camp all day. Straightened Q. M. ac- 
counts and turned over property to Lt. Dutton. 

6th. Sunday. Inspection of division by Major Otis. Undress 
parade. Col. Purington took leave of the boys. Given three cheers. 
Ordered out on two days' scout. Went to forks of road, Cedar 
Creek and Strasburg over Little North and camped. Acted Adjt. 
Very laughable scene. A drunken citizen came in, bewildered and 
lost, almost frozen. He could find a demijohn of brandy if we could 
only tell him where he laid down. 

7th. Monday. Went to Cold Spring Gap in Great North 
Mountains, then around to Russel's Mills and for forage and camp 
in old place. 

8th. Tuesday. The decisive day of the nation. If the cause 
of the Union prevails today, liberty and union will be ours forever. 
God grant the right success. Ordered into camp. Moved back 
through Newtown. Rosser reported prowling about. Voted. 201 
for Lincoln, 4 for McClellan. Glorious for the 2nd Ohio. 



November, 1864 135 

9th. Wednesday. After dinner moved to Mt. Zion church. 
Met the infantry marching back. Rainy day. 

10th. Thursday. Pleasant morning. Clear and mild. Moved 
back 21/2 miles into camp. 

11th. Friday. On picket in P. M. Letter from home. Rebs 
around. 

12th. Saturday. Gen. Rosser attacked 1st Conn, on recon- 
noissance. 2nd Ohio charged to help them. Both driven back 
after several charges, in some confusion. Brigade out and drove 
rebs back — at Shells — hand-to-hand encounter — charge after 
charge. Col. Hull killed. Drove rebs over the creek, four miles. 
Rebel brigade came in rear and picked up many stragglers. 2nd 
Ohio lost 20. Had my horse v^ounded. Early's whole army at 
Middletown. 

13th. Sunday. Reconnoissance by all cavalry to Cedar Creek. 
No enemy. Very cold. 

14th. Monday. Lay in camp. Wrote home, to Sarah and 
Ella Clark. 

15th. Tuesday. In camp. Read some and did company busi- 
ness. 

16th. Wednesday. On picket. Had charge of 2nd Batt. on 
outpost. Deserters came in. Quiet time. Guard mounting. Har- 
per and Atlmitic. 

17th. Thursday. Relieved by 18th P. V. Got into camp a 
little before dark. 

18th. Friday. Nettleton returned. Letters from home. God 
bless the good friends. Commissions for boys. 1st Lt. for me. 
Letter from Roxena. 

19th. Saturday. Officer of the day. "C" Co. on picket in rear 
of camp. Wrote to Uncle Branch. 

20th. Sunday. Rest of regt. on picket. Wrote to Lizzie Cobb. 
Drew rations and ammunition. 

21st. Monday. Out before daylight and moved at 6 A. M., 2nd 
and 3rd Divisions. A rainy, cold, disagreeable day. Camped just 
beyond Woodstock. 

22nd. Went on to Mt. Jackson and found the whole of Early's 
army posted two miles beyond. Quite lively skirmishing. 2nd 
Ohio in rear at the creek. Had charge of 3rd Battalion, broken as 
soon as rebs charged through town. Colors in front. Charged back 
several times. Infantry kept close on heels of the cavalry. Lyons, 
poor boy, is missing. Camped on old ground at Woodstock. A 
very cold night. 

23rd. Wednesday. Resumed our backward march, the rebs 
following as far as Fisher's Hill. Very cold. Walked till sore 
footed. Went into old camp. 

24th. Thursday. After breakfast went on picket on middle 
road, on reserve post. Very quiet but cold — little sleep. Many 
prayers have gone up today for the welfare of the soldiers and the 
salvation of the country. May God soon bring the rebs to their 
senses and bring an honorable peace with freedom to all men. 



136 War Diary 

25th. Friday. Thanksgiving chickens for dinner. Wrote to 
Mrs. Beers. Forage caps issued. Considerable dissatisfaction 
among the boys. Band played some time. 

26th. Saturday. Remained in camp. Read and wrote to Will. 

27th. Sunday. Brigade inspection in the morning. Officers 
and men are becoming pretty thoroughly disgusted with Col. Pen- 
nington on account of his mean and inconsistent orders. Wrote 
home. 

28th. Monday. In camp all day. Got mustered as 1st Lt. 
After supper, "General" and "Boots and Saddles" blew. Lay till 
twelve and then pulled out on back grade and Moorfield Pike. 

29th. Tuesday. Crossed the Big North at Cold Springs Gap. 
Passed through Wardensville and got dinner and fed. Co. "C." 
eight men. Very disagreeable march last night. Beautiful day, 
mild and delightful. Am happy as a lark in the sunshine. Enemy 
reported at Moorfield. Went on after half an hour's rest. God 
grant us success if we meet him. May the right soon prevail and 
this cruel war end. Camped on the Shenandoah mountain top. 

30th. Wednesday. Up at 4 and on the road at 5. The most 
beautiful sunrise from the vast height. A grand view of moun- 
tains stretching away for miles in all directions. 2nd Ohio in ad- 
vance. Reached Moorfield at 10 A. M. Remained till 2 P. M. Re- 
turned via northwestern grade. Camped 13 miles from M. on an 
old gentleman's farm. I had quite a talk with him. He owned a 
farm, sterile and poor, of 200 acres in among the hills. He was 70 
years of age. Moved there 34 years since when all was a wilder- 
ness. Had never owned a slave. Had cleaned up the farm, built a 
log house and made all the improvements with his own hands. It 
made him almost crazy to see all going to destruction in one night — 
all his fences, outbuildings, cattle, sheep and fowls. An only son 
at home, an invalid. Had always been true to the government. 
Only wished that God would now call him, that he might be with 
his many friends in the church yard — pointing to it near by — and 
this aspect of suffering and starvation be taken from him. 



DECEMBER, 1864 

1st. Thursday. 2nd Ohio in rear. Kept along down North 
river. Passed through "Hanging Rock" Gap. Scenery grand. 
Camped at Capron Bridge in Lost River valley, 18 miles below 
Wardensville. On picket. Easy post. 

2nd. Friday. Went into our old camp at 2 P. M. Mail from 
home. 

3rd. Saturday. Spent the day in camp. Was officer of the 
day. Wrote to Uncle Milo. 

4th. Sunday. Wrote several letters and read. Heard a ser- 
mon at Brigade Hdqrs. 

5th. Monday. 2nd Ohio went out to Fisher's Hill on a scout. 
Got back in evening. Enemy reported in front by 2nd N. Y. Big 



December, 1864 137 

fires. Thought they heard bugles, etc. Co. C in advance. No 
enemy, 

6th. Tuesday. In camp. Bill Smith officer of the day. 

7th, Wednesday. On picket. Put up with Co. B. Charge of 
3rd Batt. Pleasant time. Cold night. Excellent letters from Ella 
and Will. Heard reports of promotion, 

8th, Thursday. Relieved in good season. 

9th. Friday. In camp. Wrote to cousin Sarah in answer to 
letter received today. Drilled 3rd Batt, in rear formation, 

10th, Saturday. Cold day. No drill. Boys on picket. 

11th. Sunday. Snowed all last night. 6 inches of snow this 
morning. Wrote to Fred, C. G,, Ella and home, 

12th, Monday, Wrote letter for Fecklin and several in an- 
swer to letters for Co, "C" people. Awfully cold. 

13th. Notice of appointment from Adj. Gen'l of Ohio as cap- 
tain came. Went over to muster. No success. Several promotions. 

14th. Went twice to mustering officer without success. Fin- 
ished "Dante" and "Dream Life" by Ike Marvel. Beautiful pic- 
tures of life, beautiful because so real. Good lessons. Had good 
visits with Easton and McBride. Clear. 

15th. Got horses shod. Cloudy. Saw F. again in my dreams. 
I wish I could be rid of this thought about such things. Could never 
live at home. Am better off here than I would be there, 

16th, Got news of Thomas' attack on Hood's flank. Great re- 
joicing in infantry. 

17th. Saturday. More good news from Thomas. Brigade 
officer of the day. Rode over to infantry. Received a beautiful 
pair of shoulder straps as Christmas gift — with a note from A, B, 

18th. Sunday. A good letter from Prof. Peck, A beautiful 
picture of Melissa and the darling baby (Carrie Nettleton Thurber) . 
Letter from home. Wrote to the Prof. 

From his letter to Prof. Peck. 

Everybody in the 2nd Ohio is familiar with the name and services of 
Prof. Peck, of Oberlin, the man who has always done so much for the Ohio 
soldiers, both the sick and well, and who had an article in the paper a short 
time ago about the 2nd Ohio. 

The boys are delighted with yoxir praise of the Regiment. I have told a 
good many what you wrote in regard to us. All say, "Well, if he says that he 
does not know a regiment which has done better than ours, we ought to feel 
proud, for he is well acquainted with Ohio troops." 

Our Regiment has been sadly depleted during the campaign. It has not 
been recruited, but we hope to have it filled up, if another call for troops shall 
be made. Perhaps a portion of the records of Company C, with which I am 
serving will interest you. On the 1st day of May, 1864, the Company left 
Washington with forty-eight men, all told. During the summer, seven reci'uits 
joined it, making a total of fifty-five. From May 1st until this date, the 
losses foot up as follows: Five killed — all brave and good — thirty wounded and 
seventeen missing. Today we number for duty, eleven enlisted men, every one 
good soldiers. 

Theodore is robust and always ready for duty. He is well-fashioned for 
a soldier, having a hardy constitution and a jolly temperament. He was 
pleased to be remembered by you. 

Yesterday I received a beautiful Christmas gift from my friends, Will Hud- 
son, Fred Allen, Delos Haynes and Charley Fairchild, a pair of shoulder- 



138 



War Diary 



straps. The Col. received a very cunning picture today of Sister Melissa, with 
her little treasure Carrie in her arms. 

The glorious news from Gen'ls Thomas and Sherman has just been read 
to us. We gave three hearty cheers. We hope that the end is not far distant. 

Yours truly, 

Luman H. Tenney, 
Capt. 2nd O. V. V. C. 




MELISSA AND BABY CARRIE 

19th. Wrote home. Orders to march in the morning at 6:30 
A. M. 

20th. Up at four. An early breakfast. 3rd Div. started up 
the valley, while 1st and 2nd went in another direction with 10 
days' rations. Camped at Woodstock. 

21st. Wednesday. Orders regarding success of Sherman and 
Thomas, read to us near Mt. Jackson. Camped 8 miles south of 
Newmarket. Rained. 

22nd. Up at 4. Rain froze as it fell. Awfully cold. At 5:30 
"To horse" sounded. Soon a yell went up near the 2nd Brig., then 
a few shots. We were ordered to mount immediately — did it. A 
line could be seen on a distant hill. A few men came up within a 
few rods of camp. We moved to the flank, came front into line, 
my Batt. 1st in advance. Threw out skirmishers. Firing com- 
menced immediately and we advanced, firing. Rebs run. Cap- 
tured two and killed two. The command proved to be Rosser's Div. 
which came in from the back road and from the flank. Charged the 
2nd Brig, and drove it. Passed to the rear and captured several 
ambulance horses. Result was 30 men killed, wounded and missing 
on our side. 22 men captured from rebs and 10 killed. One of 
H Co. sabre cut, and one horse killed. Moved back and camped at 
Woodstock. 2nd on picket. Small force of the enemy followed. 
Skirmished till dark. 




COLONEL ALVRED BaYARD NETTLETON 
Beevetted Brigadier General March, 1865, "for Gallant and Meritorious 

fSERVICE. ' ' 



140 War Diary 

22nd. Marched at 5 :30. The most uncomfortable day I ever 
passed. 45 2nd Ohio men with frozen feet. Much suffering through- 
out the division. Wind blew the snow right through us. Camped 
in rear of old infantry line, in awful place, with no wood. Boys 
went for fences about Hdqrs. Col. Pennington threatened to shoot 
some of the boys. Chet, Houghton, Eggleston and Smith captain's 
commissions. 

23rd. Friday. Application made to send Sergt. Laundon and 
myself to Ohio. Have enjoyed looking over the papers. Every- 
thing looks very bright indeed. The new call and the late suc- 
cesses are glorious. 

24th. Saturday. In the morning helped Hillhouse fix up his 
ordnance papers. P. M. whiskey issued. Boys pretty jolly. 

25th. Sunday. A rather unpleasant day. Spent Christmas 
quietly. Ate dinner with Capt. Chester. Oysters. Wrote home. 

26th. Monday. News of the fall of Savannah. Monthly in- 
spection. Detailed for picket. 

27th. Relieved from picket and ordered to appear as witness 
in case of U. S. versus Seth Combs for desertion. Did what I could 
for him. 

28th. Moved camp upon a hill near by. Awfully muddy. 
Made a large fire. 

29th. Field officer of the day. Moved over upon the Romney 
pike. Visited the picket line. 

30th. Went to work cutting wood for quarters. 

31st. Split logs and laid them up nearly high enough for com- 
fort. Mustered. Very disagreeable morning. Pleasanter in the 
P. M. Cold night. Home letter. 

Upon the fly-leaves of the little 1864 war diary book are the 
following quotations from Dante's Divine Comedy. The Cary trans- 
lation was used. My references as to pages are to the edition of 
Oscar Kuhns, T.Y.Crowell & Co., New York and Boston. (F.D.T.) 

"With such a smile 
As might have made one blest amid the flames," (p. 346). 
"So shall delight make thee not feel thy toil," (page 360). 
"Let not the people be too swift to judge; 
As one who reckons on the blade in field, 
Or e'er the crop be ripe. For I have seen 
The thorn frown rudely all the winter long, 
And bark, that all her way across the sea 
Ran straight and speedy, perish at the last 
E'en in the haven's mouth" (page 376). 
"For one of these may rise, the other fall," (p. 376). 
"These eyes are not thine only Paradise" (p. 395). 

"voice hath not uttered 
Nor hath ink written, nor in fantasy 
Was e'er conceived" (p. 399). 

"A man 

Is born on Indus banks, and none is there 

Who speaks of Christ, nor who doth read nor write; 



January, 1865 141 

And all his inclinations and his acts, 
As far as human reason sees, are good; 
And he offendeth not in word or deed: 
But unbaptized he dies and void of faith. 
Where is the justice that condemns him? Where 
His blame, if he believeth not?" (p. 401). 

"And ye, 
Oh mortal men! be wary how ye judge;" (p. 407). 
"The sword of heaven is not in haste to smite, 
Nor yet doth linger;" (p. 412). 
"Faith of things hoped is substance, and the proof 
Of things not seen" (p. 422). 

"With hope, that leads to blissful end;" "Hope," (said I,) 
"Is of the joy to come a sure expectance;" (p. 426). 
"Good, inasmuch as we perceive the good. 
Kindles our love;" (p. 430). 

"Keep the choicest of thy love for God." (p. 430). 
"One universal smile it seemed of all things" (p. 433). 

"Oh, mortal lust! 
That canst not lift thy head above the waves 
Which whelm and sink thee down." (p. 436). 

"faith and innocence 
Are met with but in babes;" (p. 437). 

"The aim of all 
Is how to shine: e'en they, whose office is 
To preach the gospel, let the gospel sleep. 
And pass their own inventions off instead" (p. 444). 
"Here break we off, as the good workman doth, 
That shapes the cloak according to the cloth." (p. 458). 

"Oh, speech ! 
How feeble and how faint art thou, to give 
Conception birth." (p. 461). 

JANUARY, 1865 

1st. Sunday. After roll call earned a breakfast by chopping 
wood. Made a good fire. Drew a load of bricks from the country. 
Many of the boys are suffering from poor boots and short rations. 
Have worked some today, but conscience clear. 

2nd. Monday. Commenced building fireplace. Morrison 
worked for me. Very busy day. Tired out at night. 

3rd. Finished the chimney and moved into the new house — 
little more than 8 ft. square. 

4th. Wednesday. Charge of picket. This morning failed to 
get out at roll call. Did not hear the bugle. My first failure since 
I have been an officer in the 2nd Ohio. A very cold windy day. 
Reserve at a large stone barn. 

5th. Thursday. Relieved late in the day. 

6th. Friday. Worked on house some. Uncomfortable day. 

7th. Saturday. Letter from home. Sarah Felton. 

8th. Sunday. Bruce got me a door. Busy with fireplace. 

9th. Monday. Put up picket poles and policed ground. 

10th. Tuesday. Officer of the day. Brigade Hdqrs. A pleas- 
ant ride around the lines. 



142 War Diary 

11th. Wednesday. Letters from Mrs. Wood. Watrous. 

12th. Letter from Frank. Answered all my letters. Played 
some at chess. 

13th. Friday. Drew some extra ordnance. Inspected by 
Corps Inspector. Complimented by him. Have very neat quar- 
ters and neat ground. 

14th. Saturday. Drew clothing. Beat Col. at chess. 

15th. Cleaned up and rested. Prospect of going home on re- 
cruiting service. 

16th. Monday. Read some. Application for an officer and 8 
sergeants made to go home on recruiting service. Officers' meeting. 
Determined to have a history of the 2nd Ohio. Newton, Houghton 
and Dr. McReynold as committee to get up a plan. 

17th. Tuesday. Spent the day in camp. Grounds fixed up 
nicely — are complimented often. Boys take hold well. Non-com- 
missioned officers' meeting. 

18th. Wednesday. The glorious news of the fall of Fort 
Fisher on Sunday, the 15th. Another officers' meeting. Plan of 
history submitted — descriptive. The same committee continued for 
general supervision and compilation. 

19th. Thursday. Quiet day in hut. Out to daily duties. Read 
Atlantic. Coates made Capt. in Colored Regt. yesterday. Snowing. 

20th. Friday. On picket. Bill Smith on, too. Line visited 
by Col. Randall, Brig. Ins. and Capt. Houghton, and Officer of 
the Day. 

21st. Saturday. Rainy and raw. Scouting party went out to 
Cedar Creek, through the Gap and around the mountain and came 
back by Fawcett's Gap. Awful day. A hunt for Imboden's men. 
No one seen. 

22nd. Sunday. Storm continues. Some snow on the ground. 
Worked on shelters for horses out of pine brush. Bosworth and 
Robinson discharged. Ordered to write of East Tenn. campaign, 
one chapter in the history of the 2nd Ohio. 

23rd. Monday. Dan left us. He has been a brave and faithful 
soldier. It seems hard to lose him. He will make a splendid officer. 
Still rain and hail fall. 

24th. Tuesday. In camp. Played chess with A. B. Read 
"Two Gentlemen." 

25th. Charge of picket. Bill Smith with me. Cold day. Very 
comfortable time. 

26th. Thursday. Relieved by 1st Conn. Cold, some chess. 

27th, Friday. Chess with Laundon. Cold night. Clear. 

28th. Saturday. 50 men of the 2nd Ohio on a scout with sa- 
bres under Capt. Chester. Clear and cold. 

29th. Sunday. Weather moderated. Scout came in at mid- 
night. Wrote home. Captured 16 or 20 rebs on picket. 

30th. Monday, Spent the day in camp. Fixed up sheds, 

31st. Tuesday. Millard on picket. Read "Rob Roy," "Lu- 
cile," Harper's. Drilled. 



February, 1865 143 



FEBRUARY, 1865 

1st. Wednesday, Grand Cavalry review. Raw day. Grand 
sight. Whole corps. Lady with Gen. Sheridan. Passed through 
Winchester. 

2nd. Several furloughs came back. Boys happy. Am almost 
homesick, but put on as good a face as possible. Who knoweth the 
heart ? 

8rd. Fridav. Brigade Officer of the Day. Rode around the 
line with A. B., Div. Officer of the Day. Stormy day. Deserters 
came in. 

4th. Saturday. Made out my report and handed it in at 
Guard Mount. Learned that recruiting orders had gone by the 
board. 

5th. Sunday. Spent the day in quarters reading Inde^oendent, 
Testament and a story. Windy. 

6th. Monday. In camp. Officers' school. 

7th. Great snow storm. Six or eight inches. Read in At- 
lantic. Letter from home. No school. 

8th. Wednesday. Weather rather mild. Good sleighing. 
Wrote home. Shoveled the snow from the parade ground. Read in 
National Magazine. In evening attended school. Interesting time. 
Capt. Easton called to inquire into certain reports he had heard 
circulated by me. We had a plain talk. Sorry the thing came up. 

9th. Cleared up the grounds during the day. Received a 
letter from Sarah Felton and Will Hudson in evening, with Sarah's 
picture. School in evening. Detailed for picket. 

10th. On picket. Had a first class guard mount. Everything 
passed off splendidly. Made the rounds with the Brigade Officer of 
the Day in the deep snow. 

11th. Relieved about 11. No excitement during my tour. 
Billy Smith on duty with me. In evening school. Made several 
ignorant blunders. It vexes me to make mistakes. I wish I knew 
more. I am so ignorant on all subjects. 

12th. Snowing in morning. Blowing all day. Batt. inspec- 
tion in A. M. Undress parade in P. M. Read sermon in hidepend- 
ent and considerable miscellaneous matter. Wrote home. 

13th. Batt. drill in P. M. Read a general order in regard to 
the duties of sentinels and soldiers off duty. Read "St. Ronan's 
Well." Thede brought it up to me. Letter from home. 

14th. Spent the day in camp. School in the evening. Had a 
very pleasant time. The more I have opportunity to learn and the 
more I am questioned, the more I realize my own ignorance and 
insignificance. 

15th. A detail for picket. Bill on. Answered all my old let- 
ters. Will's excellent one. Fred's, Sarah's, C. G.'s and Dan Coate's. 
Spent most of the day thus. Read some. 



144 War Diary 

16th. Cleared up the snow from the ground in the morning. 
Boys came in from picket. How bright the war prospect looks. 
Hope to see home by July 4th, '65. 

17th. Friday. Class in evening. Good news of Sherman's 
march. Barnitz returned. Inspection in the morning by Capt. 
Lawder. The regt. looked splendidly. Talk with Nettleton about 
home. 

18th. Saturday. Another stormy day. Snowed all the P. M. 
No mail or papers. Read and wrote. Class in evening. Am en- 
joying the discussions very much. Home Sweet Home — on the 
brain. 

19th. Sunday. Battalion inspection in the morning. Had a 
good bath. Cleaned up grounds. In the evening Capt. Newton 
came in. Had a good visit. Talked Tenn. experiences. Traver 
and Barnitz in awhile. 

20th. Officer of the Day. Beautiful day. Clear and mild, 
Went the rounds with Div. Officer of the Day and Sergt. Bail. 
Pleasant time. Lots of deserters coming in. One batch of 23. 
News of fall of Columbia, S. C. Glory ! Read to troops. God be 
praised for the prospect. Chet back. 

21st. Went down and saw Chester. Went home with Hough- 
ton and played chess. Beat him three games. Cold and chilly. In 
P. M. studied my lesson. No school in evening — very stormy. 
Signed and returned a Warranty Deed for a lot. 

22nd. Spent the day in camp. Read Scott's "Heart of Mid- 
lothian." Much interested. Smith and I studied our lesson to- 
gether. Capt. Barnitz in class. Got the bundle from home. Am 
pleased with the new clothes. Good friends. 

23rd. Soon after breakfast received one wagon to each com- 
pany to fix up stables with. Worked all day in rain. Great im- 
provement in them. Macadamized them. Not done yet. Interest- 
ing school in evening. 

24th. Wilmington ours! Went to Winchester to get some 
barbering done — Smith and I. Pleasant time. Beautiful day over- 
head. Roads bad. On board of administration with Barnitz and 
Easton to make appropriation of Regt's fund for colors. Regt. on 
picket. Felt most sick. Proposition to go home when A. B. re- 
turns with Lissa to Washington. 

25th. Furloughs stopped and pontoon train came up today. 
The Col.'s leave failed. He was in great trouble, having promised 
his wife to come home and yet expecting to remain with regt. after 
leave. Muddy, but pleasant overhead. 

EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL NET- 
TLETON TO MRS. LUMAN H. TENNEY 

Lakeside, Mich., June 20, 1911. 
* * * Today in looking over war-time papers I came across the orig- 
inals and copies of certain letters from General Custer. They relate so closely 
and importantly to the history, career, and military standing of the Second 
Ohio Cavalry that it occurs to me that you might like to file copies with the 
War Records which you are now collating and arranging. 



February, 1865 145 

Luman Tenney's admirable service, his high qualities as a disciplinarian, 
and as a commander of men in the battlefield, so largely contributed to the 
good record made by the regiment that that record is in one sense a part of 
his own. These letters from General Custer, the idolized commander of our 
Division, are exceptional in the history of Army experience. 

Headquarters 3rd Cavalry Division, Mid. Mil. Division, 

Feb. 24, 1865. 
His Excellency Gov. Brought 

As Lt. Col. Nettleton of the Second Ohio Cavalry is about to proceed to 
his home in Ohio with the intention of procuring as many men as possible to 
fill his regiment, I desire to urge upon your Excellency the propriety of ren- 
dering Col. Nettleton all possible facilities for accomplishing this end. 

The Second Ohio has been under my command for a considerable period, 
during which time they have been repeatedly engaged with the enemy. Upon 
all such occasions their conduct has been most gallant and deserving. I have 
known this regiment to hold positions against vastly superior forces of the 
enemy under circumstances which most regiments would have considered as 
warranting a retreat; and I take pleasure in assuring your Excellency that in 
my entire division, numbering twelve regiments from different states, I have 
none in which I repose greater confidence than in the 2nd Ohio. For these 
reasons I feel assured that the interests of the service would be greatly pro- 
moted by filling the regiment to the maximum number. 

Your Excellency cannot find among the many gallant sons of Ohio a more 
gallant or deserving officer than Lt. Col. Nettleton. 

Very Respectfully, 

G. A. Custer, Bv't Major General. 

Headquarters 3rd Cav. Div. 
Lt. Col. A. B. Nettleton, Feb. 24th, 1865. 

Comdg 2nd Ohio Cav., 

Through 1st Brigade Headquarters. 
Colonel: 

The General comdg Divis. has directed me to express to you his great and 
entire satisfaction with the manner in which the pickets from your regiment 
were performing their duties today while he was inspecting the line. Not a 
man failed to understand and execute the orders issued from these and su- 
perior Headquarters, not a man but who did credit to himself and his regiment. 
The General is much gratified to see that your men on the picket line are 
anxious, like true soldiers, to keep up the excellent reputation your regiment 
has won on the battle field. 

Very respectfully yours, etc., 

L. Siebert, A. A. Genl. 

The incident which called forth the above letter occurred the day before 
and while Sheridan's army was in winter quarters at Winchester, Va. Gen. 
Custer with his staffs and escort galloping out the Romney Pike, came sud- 
denly upon the sentinel at the picket post, who ordered "Halt" and demanded 
the countersign. 

An attempt by the General to awe the sentinel, who was told that cer- 
tainly he knew well who it was seeking to pass, made no difference; and the 
General proceeding to ride forward was again abruptly stopped before the 
sentinel's raised gun and the declaration that he would shoot anyone attempt- 
ing to pass without first giving the countersign. Thereupon the General dis- 
mounted, advanced, gave the countersign and was permitted to pass. 

26th. Every preparation made to move. Ordnance and Q. M. 
stores condemned and turned in. Several orders and circulars 
came around. All bustle and commotion. Wrote home. 

27th. Reveille at 3 A. M. Moved at 6. Moved through Win- 
chester. Formed several times in crossing streams, etc. Seemed 



146 War Diary 

good to see Gen. Sheridan along on his black horse. Halted many 
times. Went into camp at 10 p. m. Very good rest. Woodstock. 
28th. Reveille at 4 A. M. Brigade moved out in advance at 6. 
Waited at the Shenandoah for the pontoons to come up. Most of 
our brigade forded. One 3rd N. J. man drowned. Our regt. did 
nicely. Camped at Lacey's Springs. 



MARCH, 1865 

1st. Wednesday. By mistake up before daylight. Brigade in 
rear of column. Did not move out till 9 A. M. Advance captured 
the two bridges between Harrisburg and Staunton. Several pris- 
oners captured. Camped six miles from Staunton. Wagons cap- 
tured. 

2nd. Thursday. Commenced to rain early. Our div. in ad- 
vance. Massed just before reaching S. Reached our old camp at 
Waynesboro at 3 P. M. The Va. Brigade formed mounted. We 
formed dismounted. Went out where we could see the rebel line on 
a hill and in the woods, running almost around W. 2nd Ohio in ad- 
vance as skirmishers. Forward was given and the 2nd went for- 
ward until it carried the woods and the hill, driving the Johnnies 
pell-mell. I was mounted and went in on the muscle, when the rebs 
gave way. Took a great many prisoners myself. Captured 1,300 
prisoners, 10 guns and 150 wagons and 10 stands of colors. Ad- 
vance charged through the gap and burned a heavy amount of 
supplies at Greenville. Gen. Early barely escaped capture. It is a 
wonder to me how the boys stood it so well. Gen. Custer gave us 
great credit. Camped just through the gap. Raining. 

4th. Yesterday moved on to Charlottesville and burned three 
heavy bridges on Va. Central. Awful roads. Rainy still. Camped 
at C. Nice place. Burned bridges. Went out on Lynchburg road 
and tore up track. Clear and pleasant. Worked hard. Went back 
to old camp. Plenty of forage. Slept well. 

5th. Sunday. Saddled up early but did not move out. One 
hundred men pulled down the burned bridges. More destruction of 
R. R. Went out with forage detail. Camped under the hill on 
which is the home of Thomas Jefferson. Rations and ammunition. 

6th. Another clear, beautiful day. 1st Div. in yesterday. 
Saddled up at 4 A. M. Moved out to guard train at 6. Moved in 
rear of brigade at 9. Marched through a passage underneath the 
Virginia University. Rear guard. Marched all night. Halted 
every five minutes — burned many rails. Rather poor country. 

7th. Went into camp for breakfast at about 8 A. M. 22 miles 
from Charlottesville — beautiful day. Moved on difi'erent roads — 
still in rear of train. Passed through Lovingston or Nelson C. H. 
after dark. Camped six miles on picket. 

8th. In advance of train. Turned towards the river. Went 
by Arrington Station to New Market at the junction of the Tye 



March, 1865 147 

and James rivers. Met the 1st Div. which went up the river from 
Charlottesville. Rainy night. 

9th. Moved out in the morning at 6. My Batt. in the extreme 
advance. Passed Howardsville and Scottsville and camped at Hard- 
ware River bridge. Travelled down the tow path mostly. Rain 
at night. 

10th. Moved on to Columbia at the junction of the Rivanna 
and James. Pleasant day — bad roads. Went into camp and sent 
out forage detail. Got plenty of forage and subsistence. Very 
wealthy plantation. Large number of negroes. Canal thoroughly 
destroyed. 

11th. Saturday. Lay in camp all day. Cleaned up. Two in- 
spections. Bathed and changed my clothes. Details went out for 
forage. Seemed good to get a day's rest. Improved it as well as 
possible with the work to do. 

12th. Sunday. Reveille at 3 A. M. Marched at 5. A snail's 
pace all day. Clear and beautiful day. Moved north. 1st Div. 
moved off to the left. Have thought a good deal of home and 
friends today. God bless the dear ones at home. Camped at Fred- 
erick Hall Station. 

13th. Monday. Reveille at 4 A. M. Out at 5 :30. Went out on 
R. R. and destroyed a great distance of the R. R. The boys worked 
with a will. Burned several warehouses full of tobacco. Lay in 
camp from 1 A. M. 1st Div. up the R. R. 

14th. Moved out at daylight. When 6 miles from the South 
Anna ground squirrel bridge, my battalion was ordered forward at 
a trot to support the 1st Conn, in a chase after Early with 300 men. 
Kept up the chase 12 miles. Crossed the Chickahominy — 10 miles 
from Richmond — scattered the force. Custer offered 30 days' fur- 
lough to the captor of Early. Kept up the trot into Ashland, re- 
crossing Chickahominy. No force. Very sore, chafed and tired. 
Moved back north of South Anna. Many horses played out. Ours 
did well. Lost but one. Held them at a square trot. Anniversary 
of an eventful day in my life. Have thought a great deal today of 
this day a year ago and the other days near them. It makes me sad 
to review them. 

15th. Reveille at 1 :30. Moved out on wrong road. Went to 
Ashland — stayed all day. Pickets rebel division came up and at- 
tacked us. 2nd drove back the advance. 2nd N. Y. lost several 
men. Camped north of the North Anna at 12 P. M. Heard firing 
from Richmond. 

16th. Up at 4. No breakfast. Haversack empty for two days. 
Rained last night and this morning. Warm as in June. Our Div. 
in advance. Got into camp at 4 P. M. at Mangohick. Easton's Batt. 
and 50 men from 1st Batt. on a scout to Hanovertown Ferry. Boys 
had a hard time to get forage and rations. 30 or 40 miles from the 
White House. 

17th. Reveille at 4. Moved out at 8, having been in line two 
hours. In rear of the train. Got into camp before dark. Plenty 



148 War Diary 

of rations. Passed through Aylett's Ware House and camped near 
King William Court House, 8 miles from White House. 

18th. Reveille at 4. Out at 6. Arrived at White House at 11 
A. M. Unsaddled and camped. Transports and gunboats. Forage 
and rations. Beautiful day. Took a bath. Saw a paper of the 
16th. Pleased me much. Wrote home. Slaves gathered together. 

19th. Crossed the river on R. R. bridge. 2nd went out on 
picket, to Baltimore Crossroads. My Batt. on outpost. Rode about 
the country to get a good idea of it. Scouts were prowling about 
all night. Changed position. Kept us on the alert all night. Sev- 
eral shots. 

20th. Relieved by the 2nd N. Y. about noon. Returned to 
camp near W. House. Drew rations and forage. Inspection of 
horses. Estimates for clothing, C. and Garrison equipage. A very 
hot day. Seemed like Petersburg. Read old file of papers. 
Dreamed of Fannie. 

21st. Clear and beautiful day. Warm. Cleaned up. Went 
to the landing. Could find nothing which I wanted. Rained. 
Papers of the 20th received. Everything seems to be moving off 
prosperously. God grant us an early peace. Dreamed of little 
Carrie. 

22nd. Clear. Wind up. Soon after breakfast accompanied 
Col. Nettleton to the boat which he took for Washington and home 
on a five days' leave. Thede and I sent a letter. Would that we 
could go with him. How happy the home folks will be, especially 
Melissa and Minnie. 

23rd. Sun shines out in its fullness. Dreamed of being at 
home last night. It was Sunday and I at church. Mail came. 
Glorious news. A child born, a nephew. (Albert Ellis.) Joy is 
in the household. Prosperity and happiness to the father and 
mother. Received Tennyson's "Enoch Arden." A sweet, sad story. 
Any number of old papers. Spent the day feasting upon good 
things. Splendid day. 

24th. Tuesday. Wrote home and to several friends. Went to 
the landing and procured some little eatables and paper. Paymas- 
ter in camp. Saw him. Busy with the Michigan Brigade and 1st 
Vermont. Marching orders. 

25th. Ready to march at 6. Took my pockets full of mail to 
the landing. Dismounted men went by boats. Our regt. in rear 
of Div. and train. Crossed the Chickahominy on pontoons and 
reached Harrison's Landing in evening. Fortifications. 

26th. Had a very good view of McClellan's defensive works. 
Good. Moved up the river and crossed at Deep Bottom. An occa- 
sional shot. Heard of taking in 2,700 rebs in front of Petersburg. 
Camped at Bermuda Hundred. 

27th. A beautiful day. Clear and warm and somewhat dusty. 
Crossed the Appomattox. Moved along the line to the Norfolk 
R. R. Seemed natural to hear the continuous firing once more. 
Few changes in appearance. Woods all gone. 



April, 1865 149 

28th. Rested in the morning. Charley Smith, Sergt., came 
over from the 60th Ohio. Went down to Hancock Station. Troops 
passing to the left. Orders to march tomorrow morning at 6. 
Work ahead. Broke up mess. In with Stearns. 

29th. The whole night occupied in paying off the regt. Got 
very little money myself. Up early after a little nap. Boys sent 
their money home by Dr. Smith and Adj. Pike, who have mustered 
out of service. Went to Army Hdqrs. Moved out. Joined Div. 
near old picket line. Marched 4 miles beyond Reams and camped. 
Rained — awful roads. 

30th. Rain continued. Lay in the mud till noon, then moved 
into the woods. Moved out just after getting fixed up comfortably. 
Moved 4 miles over awful roads and camped 5 miles from Dinwid- 
dle C. H. Building a good deal of corduroy road. Put on picket. 
Barnitz uneasy all night. Allowed no rest. 

31st. Cleared up soon after sunrise, but did not remain so 
long. Very heavy firing. Musketry and artillery to the right of 
and beyond Dinwiddle C. H. Very uneasy to know how the day is 
going. God grant us victory. Success now, the capture of the 
Southside and the Danville R. R. must bring peace soon. We can 
leave the cause in God's care. On to Dinwiddle — there at 6 P. M. 
1st Div. all driven back. 3rd Div. engaged. 3rd N. J. ammunition 
exhausted. Go up at a trot, dismount and go in. Doublequicked 
half a mile — came upon infantry line which opened fire and 
charged. Had to fall back quickly. Horse wounded. Many good 
men lost. Fortified and lay on our arms. 



APRIL, 1865 

1st. Saturday. At daylight, without supper or breakfast, ad- 
vanced. Rebels in front fell back. 5th corps up. Advanced dis- 
mounted 5 miles to the rebel breastworks. Built temporary breast- 
works. Held them under fire till 4 P. M. when the 5th corps came 
up and charged. Advanced through the pines till in sight of works 
and guns with a yell. Repulsed. Formed line again and in 15 min- 
utes charged again. Got under the works and laid down. Here 
Brother Thede, noble and brave boy, was struck through with a 
piece of shell. Helped him from the field. Suffered awfully. In 
answer to my questions he said: "Luman, I think my wound is 
mortal. I can not live. I have tried to do my duty today. Tell 
mother I only wish I had been a better boy. I hope that God will 
accept me and take me to Heaven." He had his senses for 30 or 40 
minutes when he sank away as we carried him along and died be- 
fore we reached the hospital. I thought that he had fallen asleep. 
I spoke to him but received no answer. His pulse beat feebly. I 
knew then that he was going. The Doctor gave him some brandy, 
but no life appeared. I buried him in a rough box beneath a cedar 
tree in front of the house and across the road and cut the head- 
board with a knife. God sustain mother. 




BEOTHER THEODORE 

Killed in the Last Great Battle at Five Forks, Va. 



April, 1865 151 

Monday, 3rd. Yesterday I wrote to mother and sisters. The 
fighting of Saturday was most severe. The 2nd Ohio lost 35 killed 
and wounded in the two days. 5 officers. Trees completely rid- 
dled where we were. How so few fell I can not see. Brilliant af- 
fair — but oh the cost. Petersburg ours, too. It seems hard to lose 
dear friends when peace seems so near. Picket's Div. captured 
nearly entire. Wrote the sad news home, also wrote Richard Bail's 
people. Moved out at 9 A. M. Crossed the south side R. R. between 
Fords and Sutherlands. 5th Corps across. Very little firing heard 
today. 1st Div. struck the rebs near the river road. Firing after 
dark. 



LETTER FROM L. H. TENNEY TO HIS MOTHER AND SISTERS 

Oak Grove, Alabama, Sunday P. M., April 1, 1866. 
My Dear Mother and Friends: 

I wonder if nearly the same thoughts are not in your mind this P. M. which 
are in mine. 

The sun is just about as low now at 6 o'clock as it was a year ago, when 
our noble boy, Theodore, fell in the thickest of the fight, face towards the 
enemy, there in the pine woods at Five Forks. How vividly everything of 
that sad and yet memorable day comes up to me. 

March 31st was a hard day for us. The enemy had driven our cavalry 
(save one division) from Five Forks nearly back to Dinwiddie Court House. 
Our Division was sent for (it was behind, hard at work, getting the train 
through the mud) and went forward at a trot. As we neared the Court 
House and heard the volleys of musketry, the cheers of the rebels, and saw our 
men falling back — many straggling — we knew that there was work ahead. 
How quiet our boys were during the few minutes while we were regaining our 
organizations. Soon we went forward at a gallop. A half mile at this pace 
and we came to Custer's and Sheridan's colors near an unsupported battery 
and in sight of the rebel line. 

Advancing across a small valley before us, our regiment in advance, we 
dismounted, formed line by battalions and on double quick started forward in 
less time, I believe, than I have been in telling it. 

The brave Custer, with staff and orderlies, colors flying, went forward 
with us. 

We gave one Second Ohio yell, perhaps a little more faintly than at other 
times, for the prospect looked dark, and other regiments took it up. The rebel 
line faced about, but though stragglers left hurriedly, marched slowly. I was 
afraid. We were within range. It seemed the only thing to do, for we were 
too few to form a line and hold our position. Another charge was ordered. 
The Div. colors were not behind. We had hardly started again with a yell, 
than that rebel line, Pickett's Div. of Infantry in our front, faced about, fired 
a volley and came forward on the double quick. 

My horse had been shot and I had taken position behind a tree. Thede 
was a short distance behind me. How well I remember how he exclaimed : "Oh 
what makes them run," and then: "Lume, Luman, come, our men are falling 
back, we'll get captured !" — and how closely he kept by me, always following 
me, as I went back slowly through the edge of the woods, my lungs troubling 
me. The sun had gone down and darkness came when we regained the ground 
where we had dismounted. We threw up rail breastworks and waited for the 
rebels. They were cautious, advanced skirmishers found our position and fell 
back to camp in sight of us. Volunteers were called for or rather "the best 
men" to a certain number were sent out as scouts to learn the whereabouts and 
whatabouts of the enemy. Thede was among the number. Without supper or 
sleep, we awaited the dawn of the day. Quite a number of our boys had fallen. 



April, 1865 153 

among then Capt. Newton. We talked about our casualties, and the narrow 
escape of many, and wondered what the morrow would bring. We felt that the 
fighting was to be decisive, but knew not whether one day would bring victory. 

Occasional shots were fired by skirmishers. Morning came. The scouts 
reported that the enemy had commenced falling back just before day. Sher- 
idan came out with his colors. Our horses were brought up and we marched 
forward. After going a mile firing commenced on our flank. We counter- 
marched, dismounted, formed line and advanced again, driving cavalry before 
us. We had missed breakfast, and the boys were weighed down with ammu- 
nition, so they left their haversacks upon their horses. 

Theodore looked pale and tired — said his bowels were troubling him. It 
was afternoon before we reached the enemy's position at Five Forks. We at- 
tacked and were repulsed. A gap between the Cavalry and Infantry was dis- 
covered, so that two hours were spent moving to the right and then to the left, 
in front of and in range of the enemy's works. Here, weak, faint and hungry, 
we threw up sufficient works of logs, etc., to cover our bodies when lying down. 
Thede and I were together. He got some crumbs of crackers from my saddle. 

It was now four o'clock when the bugles sounded the charge, and the 
boys, forgetting their weariness, jumped up and vied with each other in ad- 
vancing to within a few rods of the works, dark with clouds of smoke and 
belching guns. How grim, savage and hateful everything looked in our front ! 

You remember well the rest — the next charge — the bravery of the boy, his 
fall, his devotion to duty, certainty of death, remembrance of his sins, and 
faith for their forgiveness through Christ — the kind messages to Ma — and 
then his falling so peacefully to sleep. I never can forget the firm but pleasant 
look upon his countenance, as he lay among the groaning, dying and dead at 
the hospital. Then his burial. I thanked God that his brother could be with 
him in his last moments and lay his remains away to rest till the final trumpet 
call. 

My thoughts were sad as I groped my way through the dark woods to our 
camp. I thought particularly of the mourning at home. I knew that you 
would be sad to feel that the boy should be taken in his youth, the hope of his 
mother and joy of his friends, and yet I felt that you would inwardly thank 
God that his death had brought glory to Him and freedom to men. The dearer 
he was to his friends, the brighter his hopes, the greater the sacrifice was in 
the eyes of God. We ought to feel — I do — that we have a living interest in this 
great good accomplished and sealed by the blood of our dearest friends. And 
we certainly have reason to trust that Theodore's inheritance is in Heaven, 
drawing us thither. 

Luman H. Tenney. 

Note — One year after the above letter, on April 16, 1867, Luman Harris 
Tenney and Fj;a nces D elia^ Andrews were married at Oberlin, Ohio. vX 

And about a year and a halFTater when the brother and mother went to 
Virginia to look up the burial place of "Brother Theodore" the following 
letters were written to me in our home in Sandusky, Ohio. 

F. D. T., Feb. 5, 1914. 

Petersburg, Va., Nov. 12, 1868. 
Thursday morning. 
My Sweet Child: 

We arrived here safely a few minutes ago. One of Ma's first remarks 
after getting here was, "I wish Fannie, Minnie and Melissa could be here with 
us today." I have made the same wish in regard to my darling wife every day 
since I left her and the dear baby. (Bernard.) 

We reached Washington Tuesday evening rather late. Yesterday spent 
the morning in looking up records. Found that Theodore was buried here in 
National Cemetery, "Poplar Grove," about two miles out. 

Shall undoubtedly leave him. 

Yesterday afternoon we drove over to Arlington Heights and the National 
Cemetery there, where some 13,000 soldiers rest — 



154 



War Diary 



"Sleep the sleep that knows not waking, 
Dream of battlefields no more." 
We shall go early to the cemetery and probably to Richmond for the night. 
Much love, dear child, from 

Your devoted husband, 

Luman. 
V/ashington, D. C, Nov. 14, 1868. 
My Own Dear Fannie: 

We reached here last evening after a very satisfactory visit at Petersburg 

and Richmond and pleasant trip back. * * * ^^Q found Theodore's grave 

very pleasantly situated in the National Cemetery near Petersburg. Everything 

seemed very satisfactory to Ma. We got flowers and put on the grave. * * * 

Shall probably reach home Thursday. 

Kiss our sweet "da-da" treasure many times for me. Accept much love, 
dear Fannie, from 

Your Luman. 




BERNARD FREDERICK AND HIS MOTHER 



4th. Up at daylight. Sent telegram home. Moved up the 
Appomattox, our Div. in advance. Captured 300 or 400 prisoners, 
5 guns and many wagons. Hill's Corps and cavalry on our front. 
Near Bevil's Bridge enemy made a stand at a crossroads to get a 
part of their column by. Artillery opened and rebs ran. Our regt. 
did not become engaged. Went out to pick up wounded. Quite a 
number of deserters. Camped on this ground. Richmond ours. 
God hasten peace. Clear and pleasant. Cavalry moved on up the 
Appomattox. 1st Div. in advance. Would that I could see mother 
now in her distress. Passed a part of the infantry. Made a feint 
towards Amelia C. H. Went into camp. 2nd on picket. Moved 
out again at 11 P. M. Returned to main road and marched all night. 

5th. Wednesday. Reached Juttersville Station on Danville 
R. R. at 10. 5th Corps made a reconnoissance and captured a 



April, 1865 155 

large number of prisoners, wagons, flags, cannon, etc. Suffered 
some. Rebs at Amelia C. H. Cox spied. 

6th. Drew rations in the night. Moved at 7 — whole army. 
Cavalry to the left of Burkeville. Charged the reb wagon train. 
Scattered the skirmish line and charged each way. Chester and 
myself charged nearly 4 miles, nearly to the head of train — no sup- 
port. (Battle of Sailor's Creek.) Chester wounded in the head. 
Eggleston and Smith got several pieces of artillery. Got back to 
command by a circuitous route, the rebs having cut us off. Two 
divisions charged mounted and were repulsed. Reformed and 
charged again with success, the 6th Corps engaging the rear. Lt. 
Stearns killed. Several Co. "C" captured. Several thousand pris- 
oners, many colors, Generals and cannon. 2nd credited 650 pris- 
oners, 60 officers and 4 pieces of artillery. Lost good men. 

In a letter from Capt. Chester dated March 23, 1914, regarding the 
fighting at Sailor's Creek he says: 

"Our regiment and brigade was ordered to charge Lee's wagon train in 
sight, across a small stream with banks on the farther side. Our regiment 
was, as I remember it, the last one in the column so were the left of the line 
of battle or attack. We struck the wagon train and commenced taking pris- 
oners. All formation of company or regiment was broken, every soldier acting 
independently. The driver of a mule team refused to stop when I ordered him to 
do so, and I was about to shoot him when it occurred to me that if I killed 
the driver the team would continue to go just the same. So I rode up to 
the "lead" mule (the one on the left hand side of head pair) and shot it. 
That stopped the entire team and blocked the narrow road. I then captured 
a rebel Major and turned him over to Sergt. Waters of Co. H to take to the 
rear. As soon as that was done Joe T. Haskell — now of Wellington — came 
to me. Capt. Tenney with his orderly, and Lieut. Stearns, came up, so there 
were five of us. We turned to the right and rode to the top of the bank or 
bluff and there the rebel train was in full sight again a mile or more from 
where we first charged it. The five men took position several rods apart 
so as to cover or show quite a line. As we showed ourselves the train 
guard fired on us. We each turned and called out loudly for the "pretended 
battalions" in the ravine to charge. We advanced on the gallop firing our 
revolvers and shooting as we went. The train guard was stampeded and ran. 
We followed along the train for a quarter of a mile to where the fence had 
been thrown down and the wagons were going into a piece of woods. I was a few 
rods from the fence when a rebel from behind a tree in the woods fired at 
me and missed hitting me. I fired my revolver at him, to no effect, however. 
He then reloaded his gun, stepping from behind the tree in doing so, then 
rested his gun beside the tree and took deliberate aim at me, and fired. The 
bullet knocked me from my horse. Capt. Tenney rode up, caught my horse 
and told me I was all right. I supposed I was mortally wounded. Haskell 
came to me and taking a suit case from a wagon found some white cloth and 
tied up my head. In the meantime other men came up and Capt. Tenney 
and Lt. Stearns led them to attack the train again going through the woods, 
some distance I think. Somewhere after leaving me Lieut. Stearns was killed 
by a train guard." 

April 7th. Marched out, 32 reb colors behind Custer. Crossed 
S. S. R. R. at Rice's Depot. Passed through Prince Edward's C. H. 
and camped on a fork of the Appomattox. Lee's army off to the 
right on the Lynchburg road. 

8th. Moved out early and met the 2nd Div., Crook's, at Pros- 
pect Station on R. R. A beautiful day. Troops all cheer for Cus- 



156 War Diary 

ter. Captured at Appomattox Station 4 trains of cars, charged and 
captured 24 pieces of artillery and heavy train of wagons after 
fighting until 10 P. M. Did not stop till reached rebel camp at Ap- 
pomattox C. H. Horse hit by a shell and I struck by a spent ball. 
9th. Sunday. Fighting commenced early. 24 and 15 Corps 
up. Infantry coming up double quick. Rebs attacked. Drove cav- 
alry back. Infantry turned the tide. Grant summoned Lee to sur- 
render. Lee asks for terms. Grant orders Sheridan to press him. 
Whole thing moves up, Custer in advance. White flag meets him. 
Silence reigns. The whole cavalry cheer. A rebel cavalry force 
attack. Easily repulse it. Whole reb army before us. Glorious 
day. Surrender. 

On April 9, 1865, recognizing that the end of the war was at hand, and 
that his relations with the Third Cavalry Division must soon be sundered, its 
beloved commander promulgated to his troops that memorable address best 
known as 

CUSTER'S FAREWELL ORDER 

Headquarters Third Cavalry Div., 
Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865. 

With profound gratitude toward the God of Battles, Ijy whose blessings 
our enemies have been humbled and our arms triumphant, your Commanding 
General avails himself of this, his first opportunity, to express to you his ad- 
miration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of 
battles which today resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army. 

The record established by your indomitable courage is unparalleled in the 
annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration 
of your enemies. During the past six months, although in most instances con- 
fronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy, in open bat- 
tle, one hundred and eleven pieces of field artillery, sixty-five battle flags, and 
upwards of ten thousand prisoners of war, including seven general officers. 
Within the past ten days, and included in the above, you have captured forty- 
six field pieces of artillery, and thirty-seven battle flags. You have never lost 
a gun, never lost a color and have never been defeated; and notwithstanding 
the numerous engagements in which you have borne a prominent part, includ- 
ing those memorable battles of the Shenandoah, you have captured every piece 
of artillery which the enemy has dared to open on you. The near approach of 
peace renders it improbable that you will again be called upon to undergo the 
fatigue of toilsome march, or the exposure of the battlefield; but should the 
assistance of keen blades wielded by your sturdy arms, be required to hasten 
the coming of that glorious peace for which we have been so long contending, 
the General Commanding is firmly confident that, in the future as in the past, 
every demand will meet with a hearty and willing response. 

Let us hope that our work is done, and that, blest with the comforts of 
peace, we may be permitted to enjoy the pleasure of home and friends. For 
our comrades who have fallen let us ever cherish a grateful remembrance; to 
the wounded and those who languish in Southern prisons let our heartfelt sym- 
pathy be tendered. 

And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended and the task 
of the historian begins — when those deeds of daring, which have rendered the 
name and fame of the Third Cavalry Division imperishable, are inscribed on 
the bright pages of our country's history, I only ask that my name be written 
as that of the Commander of the Third Cavalry Division. 

G. A. Custer, 
Brevet Major General Commanding. 
Official : 

L. W. Barnhart, 

Captain and A. A. A. G. 




OCT., 10, 1911 
CLEVELAND,0. 



f 



CUSTER'S BADGE. 



158 War Diary 

Extract from an account of the surrender given by J. T. Haskell, Co. H, 
at the Reunion of the 2nd Ohio Cav. held in Cleveland, Ohio, October 10, 1911. 

"It seems fitting and proper as a final word of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry's part 
in this account of the surrender. Gen. Custer's Headquarters being almost in 
the immediate front of the Regiment, to give an account of his (Gen. Custer's) 
receiving the flag of truce from the Rebel officer carrying the same, and as that 
account is given by the Rebel General John B. Gordon better than any other 
account I have ever seen, I will give his words: He says, "I had received word 
from Gen. Lee informing me that there was a flag of truce between him and 
Gen. Grant, and that I should notify the Union Army in my front. I called 
for my Chief of Staff and said, 'take a flag of truce, bear this message to the 
Union commander, quick.' He said, 'I have no flag of truce.' 'O well,' I said, 
'take your handkerchief and tie it on a stick and go.' He said, 'Genei^al, I have 
no handkerchief.' I said, 'Tear up your shirt, put that on a stick and go.' He 
said, 'I have no white shirt, and see you have none, there is not a white shirt in 
the whole Army.' I said, 'Get something, get something and go.' He got 
something and went. There soon returned with him one of the most superb 
horsemen that ever sat a saddle, and as I looked into his flashing blue eyes, 
with his long curls falling to his shoulders, I found myself in the presence of 
that afterwards great Indian fighter, that man who ought forever to hold a 
place in every American heart, the gallant Custer. 

"With a wave of his sword, which embodied all the grace of the schools, 
he said to me, 'Gen. Gordon, I bring you the compliments of Gen. Sheridan. I 
also bring you, sir. Gen. Sheridan's demand for your immediate and uncondi- 
tional surrender.' Just then a white flag was seen in my front, and with it 
rode Gen. Sheridan and his staff." 

Note — Mrs. Elizabeth B. Custer, widow of General Custer, has recently 
presented me with a souvenir consisting of a part of this famous Flag of 
Truce (which flag was a crash towel), a fragment of the table on which Grant 
and Lee signed the Articles of Surrender at Appomatox, and a piece of the 
red necktie worn by Gen. Custer on this occasion. A. B. N., June 14, 1911. 



LETTER FROM L. H. TENNEY TO HIS MOTHER AND SISTERS 

"Oakland," Alabama, Sunday P. M., April 8, 1866. 
My Dear Friends: 

I am reminded every day of the campaign during those last days of the 
rebellion. On this day, one year ago — the sun far down in the west — our 
brigade with no noise save the clamping of horses' feet and the clanking of 
sabre scabbards, charged down upon the worried Johnnies at Appomattox Sta- 
tion. The surprise was complete. Three trains of cars, well loaded with 
provisions and munitions of war for Gen. Lee's mere skeleton of an army, with 
the force guarding them fell into our hands without the loss of a man. Three 
miles away to the east and rear was Appomattox Court House, where the flying 
and discomforted army was halting. Gen. Walker, Reb., had been sent ahead 
with the Artillery brigade to take the cars for Lynchburg, only twenty-three 
miles distant, where Lee was coming. The Artillery was just coming in from 
the east as we reached the station from the south. The Gen. wheeled his guns, 
25, in the road where they were, hoping by a hard fight to get the station. 
Grape, canister and shell came thick and fast and infantry stood firrnly by the 
guns as we made charge after charge. Night came. Other divisions were 
coming up. Gen. Custer became impatient. He rode along the line and shout- 
ed, "Boys, the 3rd Div. must have those guns. I'm going to charge if I go 
alone." The guns were belching forth red fire. The word was given. Gen. 
Custer did not charge alone. Guns, wagons and prisoners were ours and our 
boys did not stop until they had passed the Court House where the camp-fires 
marked the location of the rebel army along the hillsides. Several 2nd Ohio 



April, 1865 159 

boys were there, Major Easton, Capt. Co. M and Lieut. Rand. The boys were 
full of enthusiasm and eager to "charge them." Mounted men were in our 
front. I ordered "cease firing" and asked who they were. "Gen. Geary and 
his staff," was the reply. Looking down to the left of the road, we noticed by 
the light of the camp-fires a line advancing. We were almost in rear of it. 
We expected a volley as we withdrew, but the confusion saved us. 

At midnight our Div. was relieved. We camped at the station. We won- 
dered what the morrow would bring forth. We knew that we were in front of 
Lee without Infantry support. And the continual skirmishing told us that Lee 
was not to be penned without a hard fight. The morning of the 9th came. 
The Cavalry was being pushed back rapidly towards the station. The boys 
were falling, scores of them — why was it with victory so near? — when over 
the hill a dark column was espied coming down the road in close column at 
quick time. What relief from the awful suspense! What cared we for the 
color or race of those men so they brought relief to us. We saw courage and 
determination in their coal-black faces. Give them the ballot, for they insured 
victory that day. The Cavalry, after being relieved, formed squadrons and at 
a trot, under flank fire, moved through the fields toward the Court House. 

Lines of Infantry were in our rear, moving up from the south and west. 
Aids came down the line, shouting "Make no noise! Gen. Grant has ordered 
Lee to surrender and Sheridan to press him! We are going to do it!" 

We reach the wooded hills, south of and in sight of the Court House. All 
at once the Artillery ceases firing. A white flag appears in front. The col- 
umn halts. Gen. Custer meets it. Again Aids dash off and we see it in their 
faces, "Lee has surrendered!" Oh the wild and mad huzzas which followed! 
Pen can not picture the scene. The four years of suffering, death and horrid 
war were over. Thank God ! thank God ! ! was upon every tongue. Peace, 
home and friends were ours. Yes, thank God! What wonder that we were 
crazy with joy? Right here some of Wheeler's Cavalry, not advised of the 
truce, came charging upon us. We held our fire, forbore till they meanly per- 
sisted, when our boys without orders drove them back. They learned of the 
truce just in time to save precious blood. Not eighty rods in front of us, when 
we halted in a hollow, was a brigade of rebel infantry with twelve pieces of 
artillery loaded to the muzzle with grape shot, waiting for us to come over the 
hill. Here Sergt. Weary of Co. A fell while demanding the colors of the bri- 
gade. He was a brave man and left a family of children to mourn him. How 
many loving friends were waiting then for the coming of their brave boys, 
who now mourn their noble dead, whose graves mark the bloody struggle dur- 
ing those eight days from Petersburg to Appomattox. 

In the exultations of victory the fallen were well-nigh forgotten. Then 
on either side of Appomattox C. H. the two armies went into camp — all 
friends. Rations were issued to all — and the rank and file on each side happy 
and thankful, I ween, that no more bugle calls were to summon them to battle. 

I have spun out this account, but I remember that Lu was absent at the 
time and the circumstances and incidents are so fresh in my mind that I have 
enjoyed reviewing them. 

May the President and Congress so act as to secure the fruits of the 
dearly bought victory. 

I don't know and cannot decide what is best in the way of imposing re- 
quirements upon the Southern people and establishing g-uaranties for the rights 
of freedmen. 

The long and bitter discussion preparatory to action on the part of the 
government, I am confident, is working evil among Southerners. It tends to 
alienate them. They feel that the spirit of the majority of the Northern 
people is unfriendly towards them. The conduct of the people in this section 
has seemed consistent. We couldn't expect more. 

Much more delay in giving them some kind of show will exasperate a 
great many, I think, and make them unfriendly to Northerners, unkind and 
unjust to freedmen and disloyal to the government, while now I think the 
reverse is true. 

I enjoyed the letter from Uncle Albert. 

With much love to all and two kisses to Carrie, 

Your brother Luman. 



160 War Diary 

10th. Camped last night side by side with Lee's army. A 
great jubilee among the boys. Soon after sunrise moved out. Sher- 
idan passed us. Cheered him as he passed. Camped at Prospect 
Station. 

11th. Marched out in advance of the Corps — Custer command- 
ing. Grant passed us. Boys cheered him lustily. Went into camp 
9 miles from Burke's Station. Little rain. 

12th. Marched at usual hour in rear of Division train. Bad 
roads and very tedious marching. Col. Nettleton met us near the 
Junction. Had a good visit with him. Line from home. How 
anxious I am to see dear mother and sisters. I love them more 
dearly than ever. Camped at B. New colors arrived. Rained. 
All begin to talk of home and peace. I do desire to be a true ex- 
emplary Christian during my remaining days. 

13th. Contrary to the general expectation, marched. A little 
rain. Went into camp near Nottoway Station. Put up picket 
poles and laid out camp in order. Letter of the 6th from home. 
Folks are all resigned and cheerful. I am so glad. 

14th. Spent the day reading the papers and writing letters. 
Wrote to Mr. Porter and Bails' people. The whole north seems 
jubilant over the glorious successes, and becomingly ascribes the 
praise to God. All seem disposed to be lenient to the enemy, too, 
all but Davis. Salute fired. Four years today since the flag came 
down from Sumter. 

15th. Wrote several letters and read the papers. Yesterday 
put in application for leave of absence. I am very anxious to see 
my dear mother. Would that Johnston would be wise and surren- 
der. Think he will be. Thank God that peace is so near and a 
united country will live to advance religion, justice and liberty. 
Forage detail. Virginians thoroughly submissive. 

16th. Reveille at 4 A. M. with orders to move at 6. Orders 
countermanded on account of no rations. Went to sutler's and got 
cheese, buttermilk and cakes. Beautiful day. Letter from Minnie. 
Papers. A report that Lincoln was killed a short time since by an 
assassin. God grant it may not be true, for the country's good. 
Am happy today, my mind peaceful. Saw F. last night and night 
before. Lincoln assassinated. How great the loss to the country. 
All boys but two took a verbal temperance pledge. Got my leave 
and took the cars in evening. 

Note — After the surrender of Lee on April 9th, 1865, the Cavalry Corps, 
including the 2nd Ohio, marched southward to strike the remaining Confeder- 
ate army commanded by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, which was still confronting 
Sherman's army in North Carolina. Shortly after we had crossed the Roanoke 
River and entered North Carolina word came to us that Johnston had sensibly 
surrendered to Sherman and we marched northward to Richmond and Peters- 
burg, and on to Washington, in time for the Grand Review. This episode in 
the Regiment's records is not mentioned in the diary because Major Tenney 
was at that time absent on leave at home. — A. B. N., June 10, 1911. 



April, 1865 161 

17th. Rode all night with paroled prisoners — Yankees. Cold. 
Reached City Point at 8 A. M. Got ready to leave on the mail 
boat at 10 A. M. Boat loaded mostly with Southern officers and a 
few Yankees, few citizens. Saw a telegraph operator with whom 
I was acquainted in Tenn. Read late papers. Accounts of the as- 
sassination. A little seasick. Most of the rebels seem submissive 
and willing to come under the old flag again. 

Tuesday, 18th. Had a very good night's rest. Up early. Pleas- 
ant visit with an Indiana man. Several Southern ladies on board 
the boat. Great gloom in Washington. Excitement very high. 
Went to White House and viewed the President's remains in state. 
Everybody on the alert to discover the conspirators. Drew pay for 
January and February. Took the evening train via Harrisburg. 
Read papers and slept. The whole nation in mourning. All busi- 
ness places draped. 

19th. Reached Pittsburg at 2 P. M. Left on Cleveland train 
at 3. Pittsburg in mourning. Rode in company with a Cleveland 
man, Briggs, I believe. Pleasant visit. Gave me a detail of the 
working of the carrier P. O. system. Passed through Cleveland 
at 10 P. M. Stayed over at Grafton. The funeral of the President 
took place today. Ceremonies throughout the Union. Johnson 
bound to deal roughly with traitors. 

20th. Rainy. Reached home on the morning train. Met my 
good mother at the door. It seemed so good. She seemed per- 
fectly resigned to the loss of Theodore. Never was more happy in 
my life. Ma and I went down to see Minnie and Melissa. Happy 
meeting. Beautiful little baby Bertie. Carrie a little angel, good 
and beautiful. Now could I only see Fannie and be reconciled as 
of old my happiness would be complete. 

21st. Ate supper yesterday with Minnie. Spent the morning 
playing with Carrie and reading. Afternoon Minnie and John over 
to tea. Went up town with Melissa. Fannie in Bellevue teaching. 
Fortunate for me. Rode out with Charlie. Took Carrie along. 
Tea at Minnie's. Music from Joe and John. Fisher and Allie Nor- 
ton there. 

22nd. Went to town in the morning to market. Will Hudson 
came out. We boys got together and had a jolly time. Floy and 
George came out. Good visit. Chester came home. Walked with 
Will to the river, too late for train. A lame stiff neck. Spent a part 
of evening at Minnie's. Saw the Hudson family. F. Henderson 
and Will Keep. Hurrah ! 

23rd. Was unable to get out on account of my neck. Read 
Thede's diaries to Ma and Melissa, and talked about him. Minnie 
in a short time. Read Atlantic. Melissa went to church in P. M, 
Played with Carrie. Quite a wintry day. Prof. Peck very kind to 
the family. 

24th. Spent the morning at home. In the P. M. went with the 
girls to Monthly Rhetoricals. Charley Fairchild had an exercise 
entitled, "One Year with Red Tape." Good. After his exercise we 
walked about town. 



162 War Diary 

25th. Early in the morning' started for Amherst with the 
children. Had a pleasant visit at Grandpa's. After dinner, Lissa, 
Mary, Floy and I went over to cousin Helen's. Tea there. Saw 
many old friends. Home at 8 P. M. 

26th. Spent the day in O. Thought of going to Wellington 
with Chester but he was out of town. Read most of the day. "Got- 
ta Family" and Atlantic. Some rain. 

27th. Melissa and I went to Cleveland. F. D. Allen and C. G. 
Fairchild out, too. Spent a portion of the day with the boys. Din- 
ner with Will. Galled at Uncle Jones' in the evening. Gousin Min- 
nie there. Spent the night with the boys. 

28th. Saw the train come in. Commenced to rain early in the 
day. The procession was grand. Got wet through looking at it. 
The Bajida and other arrangements were splendid. Very unpleas- 
ant day. 

29th. Saturday. Yesterday we came home instead of going 
to Madison, on account of rain. Spent a portion of the day with the 
boys at Charlie's — dinner. Went up to see Will off. Evening at 
Mrs. Holtslander's. 

30th. Went to Sunday School in the morning with Delos and 
G. G. Mr. Fitch spoke splendidly. Went to church with Melissa. 
Mr. Finney preached on "Lasciviousness" — an excellent sermon — 
_A. M. and P. M. Home in the evening. 



MAY, 1865 

1st. Monday. The day at home. Sat for a vignette at Platte's. 
In evening went with Melissa to Young People's Meeting. Seemed 
real good and like old times. Am trying to live a higher Christian 
life. Will try to make Ma and friends happy. 

2nd. Cloudy in the morning. Went to depot for Minnie New- 
hall. Spent a part of the day at Minnie's with the girls. The rest 
of the time at home. Little time to read. Cleveland pictures came. 

3rd. Cousin Minnie and I stood and sat for pictures. Had a 
jolly time. Minnie over at our house a portion of the day. Am en- 
joying my visit with Cousin first rate. 

4th. In the morning, aided by the girls, I trimmed up the rose 
bushes and cleaned around the yard. P. M. we all went over to 
Minnie's. Uncle Dan telegraphed that he would be along on even- 
ing train. Went up to cars. Friends didn't come. Minnie disap- 
pointed. Played at chess a good deal. 

5th. Uncle Dan, Aunts Roxena and Rhodilla, with the good 
Cousins Ella and Alonzo, came on morning train. Spent the P. M. 
at Minnie's. Went with the girls, Minnie and Ella, to Watson's and 
Piatt's to see Carpenter's picture of Lincoln and his cabinet. Had 
a first rate time at home eating philopenas with the girls. 

6th. Newhall friends went yesterday. Has been a very 
stormy, dreary day. Called at Dr. Steele's. Visited with Aunt 
Rhodilla and Alonzo. Read some. Got Mrs. Charles' writings. 



May, 1865 163 

"Cotta Family," "Early Dawn" and "Kitty Trevellyn's Diary." 
Also coarse Testament for mother. 

7th. Went to Sunday School with Fred and C. G. in Prof. 
Penfield's class. A stranger from Natchez spoke. Went to church 
with Aunt Rhodilla, and Melissa. After service Charlie and I 
walked up R. R. Pleasant time. Have seen a good many friends 
today. 

8th. Left on the 8 A, M. train. Reached Columbus at 2 P. M. 
Went up to Capitol and ascertained that Nettleton had been com- 
missioned Col. and Seward's commission revoked. Wrote home and 
to Uncle Albert. Rained. Looked around the city a little. 

9th. Went off on the 4 :25 A. M. train on Ohio Central. Reached 
Bellaire at 10 :30 A. M. Crossed the river and took the Baltimore & 
Ohio R. R. Very poor conveniences. Enjoyed the scenery along 
the Monongahela, Cheat river and Potomac. Slept considerably. 

10th. Reached the Relay House at 9 A. M. Saw Rob and Okie 
McDowell. Reached Washington about noon. Got permission to 
remain in city till regiment came to Alexandria. Stopped at 
Markham's. 

Thursday, 11th. Drew one month's pay on my order. Went 
through the Patent Office and to the Treasury. Went home with Mr. 
Mills to tea and remained over night. Rained. Had a very pleas- 
ant time with Flint, Lyra and Leof . Capitol yesterday. 

12th. Cool morning. Saw Bigelow. Went to the hospital to 
see 2nd Ohio boys. Couldn't find Tuttle — will look again. Got some 
eatables from Ohio agent and took them to the boys. Went over 
in P. M. to Giesboro to see Major Welch. Went with him and Mr. 
Sloan's people to the theatre. Miss Milburn, and Johnson and Gas- 
kill. Escorted Miss Milburn. Uncle Tom's Cabin. Very touching 
and good. 

13th. After breakfast accompanied the Major on an inspect- 
ing tour to the various stables. Rode. A beautiful day. Seward 
gone home on leave and will muster as Lt. Col. Welch seems very 
popular at this depot, and very busy. Wrote to Charlie. Invited 
out in evening, but didn't accept. 

14th. Went to church in morning with Welch. Kautz called. 
After dinner went on tug to Washington. Saw Chet at National. 
Letter from home. Told me a little about F. Chet and I went to 
Pres. Church. Services good. 

15th. Was routed out this morning at 10 A, M. by Chester. 
Gave the P. M. General a call to learn about extra pay on resigna- 
tion. Visited Navy Yard before dinner and Arsenal after dinner. 
Wrote to Mr. Wright. 

16th. A cool morning. Up betimes. Dreamed till nervous 
about F. Would that I could reasonably get this subject out of my 
mind. God guide me. There would be satisfaction in a short look 
into the future. Chet and I called on Electa and Lorenzo. Went 
to a Catholic Fair. 



164 War Diary 

17th. Chester and I walked about town. Cavalry arrived yes- 
terday. At noon we got a carriage and drove over to Command. 
Seemed good to see the boys again. Beautiful camp, two miles from 
A. W. and A. with the Potomac, Giesboro and Heights in full view. 
Very romantic. 

18th. Melissa came last night. Lu has gone over to see her. 
Talked of getting up a paper asking absent officers to leave the 
service. Dropped it. Rainy. Major Welch came over. Quite a 
time with Div. excitement. 

19th. Rode a little distance with Major Welch. Told him of 
the plan talked of. Read in "Skirmishes and Sketches" by Gail 
Hamilton — much interested. Order for the Grand march in re- 
view. Good visit with Traver. Read me some of his leisure notes. 

20th. Ordered to move. Went out beyond Fairfax Seminary 
to see 105th Ohio. Cumings and Wilcox away. Intended to stop to 
see Melissa as we passed through Washington, D. C, but found 
the marching order countermanded, so went back to camp, 

21st. Up at 3 A. M. in the rain. Marched at 7. Moved 
through Washington with drawn sabres in platoon column. Passed 
by Willard's. Sheridan standing on the balcony. Stopped at Mr. 
Mills' over night. Nettleton rode to camp. 

22nd. After breakfast M. and I called at Electa's and visited 
the capitol. Strawberries. Went to Patent Office, met the Holts- 
landers. When we got home found Stanton with horse. Waited 
at depot for Uncle till 10 P. M. then went to camp. 

23rd. In camp near Bladensburg. Got ready early for the 
review. The whole Division in red neckties. Custer bade us fare- 
well. 'Twas sad. Met Uncle and Aunt. Saw 2nd Corps and part 
of 5th pass in review. 

Wednesday, 24th. Twelve of us officers went to town with 
orderlies. Ran guard. Saw Johnson, Stanton, Welles, Speed, 
Grant, Sherman, Howard, Slocum, Logan, Cadwallader, Sanford, 
Farragut and several other distinguished men. Grand affair. 



THE GRAND REVIEW AT WASHINGTON, ON MAY 
23 AND 24, 1865. 

This historic event, briefly covered in the diary, under dates 
of May 23 and 24, 1865, had had no precedent in the past and is 
not likely to have a parallel in future. It marked officially the close 
of the great war, the restoration of peace, the preservation of the 
American Republic from destruction, and the gratitude of the 
American people for a result perpetual and inestimable in its 
value not only to them but to all mankind. 

The troops participating in the Review numbered nearly Two 
Hundred Thousand Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery, being the 
veteran soldiers of (1) the Armies of the Potomac and James com- 
manded by Generals Grant and Meade; (2) the Army of the Shen- 



May, 1865 165 

andoah, commanded by General Sheridan, including Sheridan's 
Cavalry Corps which in full ranks numbered 16,000 troopers; (3) 
Sherman's Army, which he had led victoriously from the Ohio 
River, through Kentucky, Tennessee and "through Georgia to the 
Sea," and thence through the Carolinas and Virginia to Washing- 
ton. On the two successive days mentioned this combined host 
marched the length of Pennsylvania Avenue, and in front of the 
White House passed in review and saluted President Andrew John- 
son and the distinguished group of men mentioned in Major Ten- 
ney's diary including Gen. U. S. Grant, Gen. W. T. Sherman, Gen- 
erals Meade and Sheridan, Howard, Slocum, Logan, and Admirals 
Farragut and Porter. With these were also the members of the 
Cabinet including especially Secretary of War, E. M. Stanton and 
Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles. 

This event was the signal for the disbandment and return to 
civil life of the nearly One Million volunteer soldiers and sailors 
then on the rolls of the Army and Navy of the United States. This 
was accomplished progressively and very rapidly, as fast as the 
troops could be paid off and transported to their homes. 

Much to the dissatisfaction of the Second Ohio Cavalry that 
regiment was retained in service nearly six months after the close 
of hostilities, being sent to southwestern Missouri to look after 
some disorderly elements there, as mentioned under dates of May 
27 to June 27, 1865, in the diary.— A. B. N. 

25th. Nettleton returned to camp early. I went out at noon. 
Met M. and A. on Penn. Ave. Went up to Uncle's — discouraged. 
Started for Alexandria but was too late. M. and I went up to a 
restaurant for supper. 

26th. Talked of going to camp today, but too rainy. Got a 
carriage and we six rode over to Arlington Heights, the forts, 
Arlington House and Freedmen's School. Wrote to Mother. Had 
a good time. Went to theatre. 

27th. Still raining. Folks concluded to go to Richmond today. 
Went to camp on 8:30 train. Nettleton went down. Regiment 
ordered to Missouri. Too late for Richmond. Great feeling among 
the boys. Disappointed. Q. M. rations. 

28th. In camp. Worked on my ordnance papers. Got them 
ready to send off. Nettleton went to town. Welch and Sloan in 
camp. Recruits not to go to Missouri. Paper circulating. 

29th. Busy most of the day fixing up Company papers. Un- 
able to find Company's desk. City Point boys up. Quite full com- 
pany. Orders to move at 4 A. M tomorrow. Has been hard work 
to decide what to do. 

30th. Reveille at 2 a. m. Turned in stores. Packed up. Went 
to town with Lu at 10. Got some strawberries at Mrs. Mills'. 
She has been very kind to me. Ice cream with Stanton. At 3 P. M. 
took the cars with Melissa for Cincinnati. Went as far as Fred- 
erick City and remained over night at U. S. Hotel. M. and I took 
a stroll up street. Had a very pleasant time. Talked about Fannie. 



166 War Diary 

Her conduct seems very strange and yet I can not condemn her, I 
feel as of old. God will right things if it is best. I am very happy 
to be with my good sister. 

31st. Arose late. Feeling well. A beautiful day. Visited 
hospital. Saw Sergt. Babcock and got him released. At 12 took 
cars. Got into Cumberland at 7:30. Stopped at St. Nicholas. 
Strolled up town. Some very pleasant residences. Crook and Kel- 
ley carried from here. 

JUNE, 1865. 

June 1st. Thursday. At breakfast met an old friend of the 
2nd. Raised Co. F. Comfortably settled in the cars at 8. Melissa 
enjoyed the Cheat River and Cheat Mountain scenery first rate. 
Bellaire at dark. Some country lads and lassies on board. Met 
Birge on Central Ohio sleeping car. 

2nd. Mr, Birge told us of Martin Fitch's death by drowning. 
God sustain the afflicted. After washing up at the Gibson House, 
Melissa went to see Ellie Bushnell, I attended to business and then 
went home with Albert. Pleasant visit. Like Mr. Morgan and 
family. Al and wife went back with us — ice cream. 

3rd. Went to Court House and auction sales with Albert. 
Regt. came in early. Spent several hours with Watson. He is 
feeling badly. Am sorry for him. Many of the boys drunk. Two 
men drowned. Very sad. Co. E. Melissa received rather a rough 
initiation. Wheel broke, so had to lie by several hours near Cin- 
cinnati. 

Sunday, 4th. Reached Louisville before noon. Overtook the 
Columbia. Our boat the Prima Donna. Slow time getting through 
the canal at Louisville, Columbia went over the falls. In evening 
had some music and rehearsal by Barnitz. Good. 

5th. Another clear and beautiful day. Read "A New At« 
mosphere." Game of whist. Passed the Cumberland and Ten- 
nessee in the night. The riding in the evening was delightful. 
Gathered on bow and sung. 

6th. Took on coal at Cairo. Rounded the point and entered 
the Father of Waters. Had a quiet and pleasant ride. Monoto- 
nous country along the levee. A great many wood yards. 

7th. Some beautiful scenery today. High bluffs and a num- 
ber of castle homes. Got into St. Louis a little before dusk. A, B. 
and M, got off at Carondelet and came up by cars. Took supper 
at Olive St. House. Wrote home. Letter from home. 

8th. About 8 o'clock started for Benton Barracks, One 
lady ran out with flag and said "Welcome home." Learn that we 
are not to go to Texas. Went out on foot. Got a pleasant boarding 
place near camp. Chet and I near together. 

9th. Field officer of the day. Went to the city for Melissa. 
Had a good visit as we rode out. Took her to J. R, Davies', Spent 



June, 1865 167 

the evening with the two families, Davies and Bostwicks. Enjoyed 
myself first rate. 

10th. Relieved by Capt. Easton. Kept busy at my papers. 
Jones to be mustered out. Sent in Descriptive Rolls of Tiner 
and Barber. The paper signed by the officers was sent to Seward, 
Hillhouse and Wilcox. Think of resigning very soon. 

11th. Attended service in the morning and evening at chapel. 
Saw Crumb — Chris. Com. delegate. Saw J. R. D. too. Chet and 
I had a cozy chat together. Talked of home and the happiness 
soon to be ours. Also talked of our Chris, experience. 

12th. Went to city and got me a pair of boots, in the rain. 
Returned to camp for dinner. Chet sent in his papers. Called on 
Melissa with Chet. Miss Hamlin there. 

13th. A. B.'s muster out came. He called the officers to- 
gether and bade them goodbye, turning over the property. At- 
tended prayer meeting at Christian Com. rooms — interesting. 

14th. Spent the day in camp. Some rain. Sent in my resig- 
nation. The morale of the regiment is very low. A spirit of in- 
subordination and independence prevails. Boys are very dissi- 
pated. 

15th. Went to town and saw Sister M. and A, B. off at 4 :20. 
Hated to see them go. Hope to see them at home soon. Very warm. 

16th. Went to town to see about selling my horse. Chester 
left for Davenport, Iowa. I feel most homesick. I do dislike to 
leave the boys for many reasons. I love them all. 

17th. Saturday. Took my mare to the city and sold her for 
$100. Very hot day. Began on my Q. M. papers. Sent Feb. re- 
turns in. Several resignations returned. Disappointed. Hope 
mine will go through. 

18th. Letter from Cousin Minnie, also from "home. Have 
made application for about a dozen furloughs and sent as many 
men to hospital for examination for discharge. 

l^h. Spent the day at my Q. M. Returns for March, April 
and May. In the evening spent a few minutes visiting with Chap- 
lain Ives and Dailey's daughters. Had a cozy chat. 

20th. A very hot day. Read some. Saw Hayes. Time hangs 
heavily while waiting. Played a good game of ball with Co. "H." 
Haven't been so much engaged for years. 

21st. Got several papers from home. Report that we move 
tomorrow for Springfield, Mo. Dislike the thought of going my- 
self. Will try to get my papers through. Read and slept. Wrote 
home. 

22nd. Went to town with Billy Smith and Tuttle to see Birge 
about a horse transaction. Settled it easily. 

23rd. Stayed at Lindell last night. This morning called at 
Dept. Hdqrs. but got no satisfaction from Barnes. Regt. marched 
at 1 :30 P. M. Some drunk and noisy. Some left. Went to city 
with Bosworth. Attended theatre. The Deans in "Stranger" and 
"Wonder." 



168 War Diary 

24th. Didn't wake up till ten o'clock. Quite a joke. Lost 
our breakfast. Went to camp in time for dinner. Very hot day. 
June and other 2nd Ohio boys over to see me. Rained in the night. 
Thundershower. 

25th. Did not go out to church in A. M. Wrote home and to 
George. Read in "Capt. Bonneville," by Irving. Several of the 
boys called. In evening attended service. Mr. Ives preached. In- 
teresting meeting. 

26th. A very cool, pleasant morning. Went to the city to 
see Ren Bosworth off on leave. Expect to be homesick now living 
alone. Got back to camp before supper. Got me some pants, vest, 
shirts and other necessaries for comfort. 

27th. Passed the day in camp. Drew "Stumbling Blocks" 
and read. In evening went to prayer meeting at chapel. Muster- 
ing officer examined our returns. Boys moved down to Marine 
hospital. 

28th. Saw Adams up from the regiment. They had an awful 
time going down to Rolla. Attended prayer meeting P. M. and 
evening. Also party at boarding place. Played chess with Miss 
Tripp from Wis., a Soldier's Aid lady. 

29th. Ren back last night. Cloudy but hot. Wrote home 
and to Headly. Bosworth and I called on Miss Tripp and Mrs. 
Searle. Had a very sociable time. Saw Miss Lizzie Daily a few 
minutes, too. Read "Country Living and Country Thinking" and 
"Miles O'Reilly." 

June 30th. Friday. Bosworth left for home. I read paper 
and books. Drew Longfellow's Poems and Carleton's "Days and 
Nights on the Battlefield." Enjoyed reading it. How near Gen. 
Grant came to losing everything at Fort Donaldson and Shiloh. 
Played five games of chess with Mrs. Forbes. 

JULY, 1865 

1st. Stayed at home and read most all day. Peck and a 
friend came down and stayed a few minutes. Ren left yesterday 
for his sister's in 111. Hated to have him go. Am uneasy to get 
away myself. 

2nd. Attended service at the chapel. Mr. Ives preached. A 
good sermon. I desire to get more religion, more of the love of 
Jesus. God give me grace to live an earnest, living, though humble 
Christian. 

3rd. Peck came up in evening. Played chess and checkers. 
Have had several very pleasant visits with Mrs. Searle and Miss 
Tripp. Mrs. Forbes too, is very kind to me. No letter from home. 

4th. After breakfast had a siege of chess with Mr. Barney. 
A very hot day. A great many friends around St. Louis. Remained 
in camp till evening when I went to city. Saw fire works and got 
ice cream. Met Albert Hinman. 

5th. The little beggar girl, Emma, still comes around. Am 
sorry for her. Life has but few charms for her. Her father killed 



June, 1865 169 

at Shiloh, her brother died at Sulphur Springs, a drummer boy, 
her mother had rheumatism, her little brother another little beggar. 
A very bad girl. God help the poor and afflicted. 

6th. Yesterday Robert Brown came here to the Christian 
Commission. Went with him to see J. R. Davies and Bostwick. 
Made an engagement to go to tea today, but Brown did not get 
around in time. Had a pleasant evening chat with Cousin Sarah 
and Miss Tripp, Barney, Mrs. Forbes and Mrs. Daily also. 

7th. Spent the day reading "Eliana" of Lamb's and "Oliver 
Twist." Much interested in both. In evening, Mr. McC. and 
Brown held a meeting near Post Hdqrs. Sang patriotic songs 
first, then a religious meeting. Several spoke. 1500 present. 800 
rose for prayers. Very affecting. Mrs. Searle and other ladies 
out. Felt much benefited myself. 

8th. Read in the morning. Went with Brown to Mrs. Kel- 
logg's to dinner. Belong to Tenney family. Had a good visit. All 
act and look much like Tenney family. Another large meeting 
in evening. Great interest manifested. Several spoke. 

9th. Inquiry meeting. About 50 men out. After breakfast, 
I went to the city. Took some notices to Mr. Parsons. Attended 
Sunday School and church at 1st Pres. Dr. Nelson. Good services 
but not much earnestness. Got back to camp for dinner. A silly 
sentimental poet on the cars. Chapel in evening. Rain. 

10th. A cool delightful morning. Was disappointed in not 
getting my papers. Read in "Oliver Twist." In evening went to 
meeting (conference) in open air. Very interesting. God is at 
work here. 

11th. In the morning read "Christian's Mistake" by Miss 
Muloch. A good story. In P. M. mail. Discharge came. Happy. 
Went to city. Saw Will Bushnell. Supped with him. Ice cream 
with 2nd Ohio boys. Like Cousin Sarah Searle so much. 

12th. Immediately after breakfast packed up and went 
around to bid my friends goodbye. Felt sad as well as happy. God 
bless the friends at Benton Barracks. Got paid. Saw Will B. 
Off at 4 P. M. Made several acquaintances. Can hardly realize 
that I am going back home to stay. 

13th. Got into Indianapolis at 5 A. M. Grafton at 2 :30. Home 
4:30. A very happy boy. Thank God for his mercies to us. I 
desire to live so as to show my gratitude. 



Note — The diary closes with the following resume. F. D. T. 



170 



War Diary 



!• 



In eight months fought 

Eight Battles 
Thirty Skirmishes 



Receipts for 



18 pieces Artillery 

19 Caissons 

12 Ambulances 
200 Wagons 
900 Small Arms 
1700 Prisoners 
400 Horses 



During service passed through 

12 States 
1 Territory 

Marched 22000 Miles 



Watered horses in the rivers 



Ohio 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Osage 

Kansas 

Marais des Cypres 

Arkansas 



Cumberland 

Tennessee 

Holston 

Potomac 

Antietam 

Shenandoah 

Bull Run 

Roanoke 



Rapidan 

Rappahannock 

York 

Chickahominy 

James 

Appomattox 

Nottaway 



r^^' ' -** 




Wm^'^^ 




&^^^- ■•^gl^K ^^^bk^kkl^^ 


^ 


''^ > • ;^ 


^ggp^^^l 




- . ■ - ■^. 










» 



TJIE B. F. CiUULT 

Standing — Delos Haynes 

Seated — Fred Allen, Will Hudson, Charley Fairchild, Luman Tenney 



173 



1860 



B. F. MEMORANDUM 



1877 



The following extract from a letter written by Charles G. Fair- 
child explains the meaning of the term B. F. 

"When we were boys of 13 or 14 we had a literary society. As my brother 
Henry and I came home one night he complained to my father that a few 
of the older boys — "big fry" he called them — got all the offices, though the 
small ones outnumbered them. From this date the terms "Big Fry" and 
"Little Fry" became catchwords and were bandied back and forth until fin- 
ally the "Big Fry" were rounded up into an exclusive inner set of five mem- 
bers. Nothing was made of this in the literary society. But in the long sum- 
mer afternoons we "B. F.'s" used to gather somewhere, get some lemons and 
sugar if they were in any way obtainable, take a long time in drinking a little 
lemonade, and listening perhaps to an improvised story or two from one of 
our members who was especially gifted in this line. At one time an illus- 
trated paper in the interest of the "B. F." appeared. It was entitled "The 
Thunderbolt," laboriously written by hand and passed from member to member 
for perusal. 

Not a boy of us realized that our club meant anything, but when mar- 
riage came and there followed a Bertha Frances, a Bernard Frederick and a 
Barbara Frances, all first born babies bearing the initials "B. F.", we first 
began to realize that "B. F." had struck tap roots deep in our hearts. From 
an unplanned beginning with no organization, nothing sober or specially 
rational, with no thought of the future, we had come, under cover of old jokes 
and an accidental name, to prefer each other, to like each other, to love 
each other. 

What does "B. F." stand for? Perhaps for the greatest thing in the 
world. If we could only all love each other in a senseless, foolish way — simply 
love each other, with no questions asked and no special thought — what a 
changed world this would be." 



This seal tvas adopted by the B. F.'s 
as their "coat of arms." The mot- 
to "Uvns amore" was unearthed from 
the classics by one of the members; 
the introduction of periods between 
the first three letters opening the way 
for this 7iniqtie translation: 

"Unas arnore," one in love; "more," 
in custom; "ore," in face; "re," in 
fact. The "unus" being read into 
each sentence amplifies the original 
motto as folloivs: "One in love, one 
in custom, one in face, one in fact." 




It was at the last reunion of the B. F. boys held in March, 1877, at the 
home of Delos R. Haynes in St. Louis, Mo., that the idea was conceived of 
each one writing a brief account of his life since the year 1860. This meant 
recalling the history of eighteen years, but each "B. F." did this, and the five 
accounts were carefully put together in good form for preserving. F. D. T. 



174 Entry of Luman H. Tenney 

Luman Tenney, N. Amherst, O. Born 
Oct. 1, 1841. 

Very pleasant arrangement with F. (first) . 
Went to Vermont in September. Taught 
school in Sudbury. Success. Visited Will at 
Williams. Stood by B. F. 

Maple sugar in Spring ; foot tramp to Can- 
ada; returned through Pennsylvania; ar- 
rived August in Oberlin. Enlisted in 2nd 
0. C. Sept. 9th. 

With regiment in Missouri, Indian Terri- 
1 8 6 !S tory. Fort Scott, and back to Ohio in Decem- 

ber. ! 



1860 



186 1 



1 86S 



1865 



186 7 



Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. East Tenn- 
essee Campaign. Morgan raid. Summer 
furlough in Oberlin. More pleasant rela- 
tions. 



Furlough in March. Virginia Campaign. 
1^04 Promoted to Captain. B. F. shoulder-straps 

Christmas. 



Five Forks and Appomattox. Brevetted 
Major. Mustered out in July, St. Louis. 
Was in Washington Review. Few enjoy- 
ments — enjoyments ceased. In Sept. came 
to St. Louis. Blind Asylum. In December to 
Alabama. Cotton at Demopolis. 



Cotton crop and missionary works. Went 
Sandusky in May; local on Register. Ober- 
18 6 6 lin excursion. Engagement July 11. Pleas- 

ant relations rest of year. First congrega- 
tional Sunday-School. 

Happily married Apr. 16. Trip to New 
York ; entertained by C. G. Stave business in 
Sandusky with Dorsey. Everything went 
merry as a marriage bell. 

Still happy and in every way prosperous. 
B. F. boy born May 4. The next important 
18 6 8 event was the B. F. reunion in Sandusky. 

Visited by Delos and Fred. B. F. cup pre- 
sented ; speech by W. N. 

Organized Sandusky Tool Co. ; dissolved 
18 6 9 partnership with Dorsey. Visit from Delos, 

Carlie and Fannie Hudson. Profanity and 
repentance. 



1870 



18 7 1 



B. F. Memorandum 175 

Sought new worlds to conquer. Explored 
Lake Superior. Discovered the N. Pac. rail- 
road enterprise and the foundations of a 
wondrous city at the head of the Lake. In- 
vited Delos to come and drive a corner-stake 
with me. He came and I went east to sell 
N. Pac. bonds. Theodore Edward born Feb. 
16. 

Continued work at bonds much of time. 
Real estate business in Duluth not successful. 
Made trip to Salt Lake and did the Mormons. 
Delos took the public schools. Visited Char- 
ley in spring and fall. Fannie in Oberlin 
part of year. 

Delos returned to St. Louis. Associated 
myself with H. Turner in Red River Colony 
18 7 2 scheme, which promised well, but turned out 

poorly. Mary Emeline born Aug. 27. Visit- 
ed Ohio and Phila. 

Continued colony enterprise with varying 
success till the panic in fall, when the enter- 
18 7 3 prise was abandoned — failure. Will visited 

me in the summer. Visited mother and Me- 
lissa in Philadelphia. 

Moved to Glyndon in the spring, combin- 
ing wheat-farming, merchandizing and land- 
1^74 selling. Store profitable ; lost crop of grain 

by grasshoppers. Superintendent of Clay 
County schools. 

Business continued prosperous. Crops de- 
stroyed by grasshoppers. Organized Teach- 
18 7 5 ers' Institute for Northern Minnesota. Vis- 

ited Fort Garry. Brother Arthur and Char- 
ley with us. 

Aug. 1st removed to Minneapolis, con- 
tinuing business at Glyndon. Fairly pros- 
18 7 perous. Eddy Williams' Church. Young 

Ladies' Bible Class. More at home than for 
several years. Visit from father Andrews. 

Business in safes and scales at Minneapo- 
^ „ ^ ^ lis, also old business at Glyndon. The event 

* '^ ^ * of the year was B. F. reunion at Delos'. Vis- 

ited Ohio. 



Note — ^Luman Harris Tenney was born in Minne- 
apolis, Minn., May 18, 1877, after this last entry 
was written. Died in Sanford, Florida, Dec. 25, 1882. 





^^Plf^^l^^^HSK; 


1 




^1 


■iB^^fl 



THE TENNEY FAMILY 

Taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1879 




FEONT VIEW OF THE ANDREWS-TENNEY HOME 

Taken in 1912 

The Tenney Family Eesided Here After 1882 




LUMAN HAERIS TENNEY 

1879 



179 
IN MEMORIAM 

From the Red River Valley News, Glyndon, Minn., Feb. 12, 1880. 
Luther Osborn, Editor. 

MAJOR TENNEY OF GLYNDON. 
HIS DEATH TUESDAY MORNING AT THE AGE OF 38. 

We have this week to write of the most impressive event in 
Glyndon's history which has transpired during the life of the 
News. Luman H. Tenney, who has been ill for a month, grew 
rapidly worse on the night of Saturday, was thought to be dying 
through Sunday, hovered between life and death all the following 
day, and on Tuesday at 10 :30 A. M. quietly breathed out his life. 

Although he died as many another man has died with admoni- 
tion of the approach and progress of disease, after time enough 
had passed to give warning to friends and the community about 
him, and in the presence of full preparation on his part, yet a 
shock is felt among us almost as if he had been taken at a blow. 
Communities are never ready for the death of such men as Major 
Tenney! few communities have such men to lose. 

The illness which has been apparent to his friends and neigh- 
bors has been but five weeks' duration, and confinement to the 
house was continuous for three weeks only. He was of the never- 
give-up type of men who have little tolerance for the idea of sick- 
ness in the ordinary sense. His latest planning and anticipating 
which have been arrested and put aside by his final sickness were 
of a visit to Florida for rest and health-getting during the re« 
maining weeks of winter ; the starting of himself and Mrs. Tenney 
on this journey was set for the second week in January. February 
sees him laid to his last rest beside Northern oaks and elms and 
lindens that grow strong on winds and frosts, instead of breathing 
soft airs where oranges grow and magnolias bloom and cypress 
boughs wave. Yet we have his own word for it that it is well with 
him to take God's disposing in place of his own proposing. 

A due estimate of Mr. Tenney's character this hand cannot 
pen on this day of his burial; and although the heart that moves 
the hand be wrung with the task, yet it would not for a world barter 
the privilege of laying an offering upon the tomb of one who was 
close as any brother and who has borne a brother's part without 
the impulse of natural kinship. The village children mourn him as 
one who seemed to be of them, young men learned of him and will 
venerate his memory and know why they do so, men of his own 
age will miss the fit object of their glad deference in daily counsel 
and action, and grayer and graver men will keenly know that 
their peer in ripe knowledge and a greater in wise doing has gone 
out from them forever. 

The world knew Major Tenney for his character first, next for 
his talent, and third for his deeds. Those close to his friendship 



180 In Memoriam 

knew the Christian mainspring that moved him, saw the golden 
thread of conscience running through his days and years of sun- 
shine and cloud, and were sure of the faith that kept him high- 
minded, that made him patient in labors whose end other good men 
sometimes could not see. 

In mental characteristics he was obedient to heaven's first law 
of order, clear, simple, strong. In ways personal and social he was 
gentle, refined, unstudied, nobly human, and at large liberty as 
respects mere conventionalities. Sincerity marked his every going 
out and in before friend or stranger. In business he was a very 
engine of energy and precision, industrious we fear to rashness, 
conservative, enterprising, adhering to time-tested methods while 
teachable in the midst of the new events of a new country, of 
high integrity and faithfulness, requiring good faith in return 
from the party of the second part, be he lofty or lowly, employee 
or customer. For the community he had aspirations beyond the 
majority of his fellows. In holy fear of the calamities possible to 
follow the use of rum, he exercised the power he held in colony 
times to make legal stipulation that it should not be made or sold 
within the bounds of land conveyed. School and church and society 
all have felt his elevating influence. Ambitious to do excellent 
things, he was singularly free even from the willingness to have 
his excellences told. It would be like him, if he could, to restrain 
the hand that writes this much in his praise. 

Men dying at life's meridian need not be counted lost. Though 
his mantle may not find a single pair of shoulders on which to fall, 
yet shall we not find among us here one and there another upon 
whom its several folds shall rest and who shall finish his work? 

This word shall be "The News" memorial of him. 



MILITARY ORDER 

- ' OF THE 

LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

MINNESOTA COMMANDERY. 

BREVET MAJOR LUMAN HARRIS TENNEY, U. S. V. 

(Deceased) 

Brevet Major Luman Harris Tenney, of the Second Regiment 
Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was born in North Amherst, Lorain Coun- 
ty, Ohio, October 1, 1841. His father, Luman Tenney, M.D., for- 
merly of Vermont, was a leading physician of the place. On the 
side of his mother, Emeline C. Harris, he was descended from a 
family of sturdy pioneers, who were among the earliest to remove 
from Massachusetts and settle on the Western Reserve, then almost 
an unbroken wilderness. 



In Memoriam 181 

Removing to Oberlin, Ohio, at fourteen years of age, he pre- 
pared for college, and in 1859 entered the class of 1863. The dis- 
astrous battle of Bull Run was to him, as to many, an imperative 
call to duty, and in September of that year he left his classes and 
enlisted as a private soldier in the Second Ohio Cavalry, then or- 
ganizing at Camp Wade, in Cleveland. He shortly went to the 
front with his regiment in the capacity of commissary sergeant 
of his battalion, and thereafter served in the field until two months 
after the surrender of the Confederate armies. He was succes- 
sively promoted for merit to the grade of second lieutenant, first 
lieutenant, and captain in the line, and was subsequently brevetted 
major by the President, "for gallant service in the campaigns of 
the Shenandoah Valley in 1864." He was present in over fifty bat- 
tles and lesser engagements with the enemy, including Grant's 
campaign of the Wilderness, Sheridan's battles of Winchester, 
Cedar Creek, and Waynesborough, the siege of Petersburg, and 
the closing campaign about Richmond, culminating with the sur- 
render of Lee's army at Appomattox. At the bloody battle oi 
Five Forks, April 1, 1865, Major Tenney especially distinguished 
himself for gallantry, coolness, and efficiency, winning the unstinted 
commendation of his superior officers. In this engagement, his 
brother, Theodore A. Tenney, fell at his side, fatally hurt by a 
shell from the enemy's artillery. 

Returning to private life, he engaged in business pursuits. 
On April 16, 1867, he was married to Miss Frances D. Andrews, 
of Ohio. Later he removed to Minnesota. In 1871 and 1872 he 
was connected with the work of constructing the Northern Pacific 
Railroad. Settling at Glyndon, in the Red River Valley, he founded 
there an agricultural colony of European and American settlers. 
Here he made his home, engaged on a large scale in growing grain 
and handling the wheat crop of the Northern belt. Naturally a 
leader of men, he took a prominent and influential part in every 
movement that promised a betterment of existing conditions. 

On February 10, 1880, Major Tenney died of heart-failure, 
meeting death as courageously as he had so often faced it on the 
field of battle. 

MAJOR TENNEY'S COMRADES. 

The surviving members of the 2nd regiment Ohio cavalry held 
their annual reunion at Chippewa Lake on Aug. 26th, 1880. A 
part of the exercises was an eulogistic address on the life and 
character of the late Luman H. Tenney of Glyndon, Minn., deliv- 
ered by Capt. H. W. Chester, and a few extracts are here given. 

On the morning of the 9th day of September, 1861, five young 
men, full of love of country and running over with patriotism, left 
Oberlin for Cleveland, and determined to "go to the war." They 
selected as their comrades the boys of the Second Ohio Cavalry — 
Wade and Hutchins' pet regiment — then being organized at Camp 
Wade. They cast in their lot with the determined men of Welling- 



182 In Memoriam 

ton. As in the fall of 1858 Oberlin and Wellington joined hands 
in their efforts to help the oppressed, so now her sons joined their 
swords to drive the oppressor from the land, and compel him to 
let the captive go free; although it would not have been admitted 
at that time that such was the object, yet the issue was forced upon 
us, and I am proud of the fact that it was accepted at last, and that 
in consequence victory perched upon our banners. 

Our departed comrade was one of the Oberlin boys. Upon the 
organization of the Regiment he was appointed Battalion commis- 
sary sergeant. While in that position his executive ability was no- 
ticed, and promotion followed. It was while in the commissary de- 
partment that his devotion to duty first appeared. Although he was 
not expected to take a very active part on the skirmish line, yet 
he never was known to shield himself behind his position and leave 
the fighting to others, but where the greatest danger and the great- 
est need of help was, there he was sure to be found. All of you 
who were in our first serious fight, at Steubenville, Ky., will re- 
member it not so much for the numbers engaged as for the fierce- 
ness of the attack, and the determined resistance made by our colo- 
nel, August V. Kautz. It was in this engagement, where Captain 
Case was so severely wounded and several of our brave men killed, 
that our comrade acted as aide to our colonel and displayed his 
coolness and bravery under fire. This was only a faint indication 
of the spirit that controlled him and became more conspicuous 
during the following years. 

During 1862 and 1863 he was to be found at his post of duty 
doing faithfully and well whatever was assigned to him. In the 
summer of 1863 our comrade was commissioned to second lieu- 
tenant, after passing a rigid examination before Colonel Kautz. 
In November, 1864, he was promoted from second to first lieuten- 
ant, and in December commissioned captain, and assigned to duty 
in command of company C. Under his command that company did 
its full share of fighting, and I have no doubt but that the members 
of that excellent company present with us today would testify that 
in Captain Tenney they had a commander who would lead them 
wherever their bravest would dare to go, and I know that he found 
in that company men who would go wherever he would lead the 
way. Many of you probably remember instances where our com- 
rade displayed his unswerving devotion to duty and where he was 
conspicuous for his bravery. I will give you one or two only: 
I well remember his action at Five Forks on the first day of April, 
1865. How in that terrible ordeal he appeared to be just as cool 
and self-possessed as though his command was on dress parade; 
how he passed along the line encouraging his men and instructing 
them to take advantage of every opportunity to protect themselves, 
at the same time unmindful of the danger to which he exposed him- 
self. It was during this engagement that his brother Theodore 
was mortally wounded by a piece of shell from the enemy's battery 
in our front. Our comrade was standing near him at the time. I 
shall not soon forget the evidence of a struggle between his sense 



In Memoriam 183 

of duty as a soldier, and his love for his brother, as to whether he 
should carry him from the field or remain at his post. Just then 
the enemy's fire slackened so that he was enabled to accompany his 
brother to the rear, and receive his dying message to his mother, 
which was: "Tell mother I only wish I had been a better boy." 
He soon came back to his command, and was with them to the end. 
It was the 6th day of April, five days after the battle at Five Forks, 
at the battle of Sailor's Creek, that our comrade, in company with 
four others, formed a line of battle across a forty-acre field, and 
charged a wagon train guarded by five times their number. They 
deployed their line so as to present a long line of battle, and made 
a gallant charge, leading on their pretended battalions, driving the 
enemy from the field, and cutting their wagon train, which resulted 
in the capture of a train two miles long, with a loss of one-fifth of 
the charging party wounded. It was just after this charge that 
another fifth of this party was killed — Lieut. Stearns, whom you will 
remember as the gallant commander of company B. 

At Appomattox Court House, Harper's Farm (Sailor's Creek), 
and High Bridge our comrade distinguished himself as a commander 
that could meet and overcome obstacles that would appal a less reso- 
lute spirit. He was in command of a battalion, I believe, at the sur- 
render of Lee's army on the 9th day of April, and returned with his 
regiment to Washington, and participated with it in the grand re- 
view. Again at Cincinnati, when the regiment was en route for St. 
Louis, he displayed his control over men during great excitement, 
and succeeded in quieting a disturbance that might have resulted in 
a blot on the fair name of our regiment had it been managed with 
less skill. Soon after this he was commissioned major in recognition 
of his services to his country. It is well to remember the valorous 
deeds of the defenders of our country, and crown them with 
wreaths of laurel, and tell of their heroic acts to our children, and 
children's children. Still it is in civil life where most of us must 
fight the battles that make us heroes, or defeat us in all our efforts 
for the good of mankind; so with our comrade, although dis- 
tinguished in war, it was in civil life that he found scope for his 
nobler traits of character. 

It is quite remarkable how, in the ten short years that he 
was connected with the growth of northern Minnesota, he im- 
pressed his character upon that whole region. I cannot better de- 
scribe his influence and the respect in which he was held than by 
quoting some of the many testimonials culled from the press of 
that State. 



DULUTH NEWS. 

"This news will bring sadness to the hearts of hundreds, who 
have recognized in the one who is so suddenly gone, a noble, Chris- 
tian man, anxious to do what he believed to be right. We mourn 
for him as a brother, as those sad words, whose meaning is so hard 



184 In Memoriam 

to realize, force themselves upon us, "We shall see his face no 
more." 

For ten years he has been a leading spirit in Minnesota, and 
the town of Glyndon is largely his creation. 

He leaves his wife and four children in comfortable circum- 
stances, and leaves them also the remembrance of a devoted hus- 
band and father, and the record of a useful life." 



MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE. 



"The news of the death of Major L. H. Tenney, formerly of 
Minneapolis, which occurred this morning at his home in Glyndon, 
will be received with general and undisguised regret. Major Ten- 
ney was an estimable man in every relation of life, an active, ener- 
getic business man, an excellent citizen. 

He dies in the prime of vigorous manhood, and his loss will 
be deeply felt along the line of the Northern Pacific, where he 
transacted a large grain business, was widely known and highly 
.esteemed." 



Hon. A. McCrea, State Senator from this district, writes: 

"It causes a feeling of sadness to hear of the death of Major 
Tenney. 

Well can I remember the talk we had of our future prospects. 

He has gone to realize the facts, while I still remain in a world 
of uncertainty. 

I have no doubt his Christian fortitude held him up in his last 
moments. Although not intimately acquainted, I entertained great 
respect for him as a man, a very useful man of business, and one 
who will be missed not only in your village but all along the lines 
of railroad in this section of our state. His amiable wife and her 
family have my heartfelt sympathy. If I had been home in time 
I would have attended the funeral." 

Then follow the few remaining lines of Capt. Chester's 
address. 

We who are still on the battle-field of life would lay upon his 
grave our ofl^ering of love, our tribute of respect. Having done 
what we may for the dead, let us remember that devoted wife and 
the four fatherless children who must wait in vain for the return 
of the fallen soldier, and renew our expressions of sympathy, and 
invoke for them the tender care of our great Commander-in-Chief. 



In Memoriam 185 

HEADQUARTERS 
SECOND OHIO CAVALRY ASSOCIATION, 

CLEVELAND, Feb. 21st, 1880. 

Whereas, This Association has learned with deep regret of 
the death of our former comrade in arms 

MAJOR LUMAN H. TENNEY, 

which occurred at his home in Glyndon, Minn., on the tenth day 
of February, therefore. 

Resolved, That while we bow in humble submission to the will 
of the Great Captain who has called him from among us, our grief 
is none the less poignant; our sorrow none the less deep; and we 
do and ever will cherish the memory of Comrade Tenney as that 
of one of the best, bravest and most patriotic soldiers of our old 
command; one who hesitated at no danger when duty called; and 
whose courage, devotion and Christian character was an example 
worthy to be imitated by us all. In his death the country has lost 
one of its noblest defenders, society an honored and useful mem- 
ber; each and all of us a generous friend; and his family has sus- 
tained a loss we find no words to express. To them in this hour 
of great sorrow we can only extend our warmest sympathies. 

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records 
of the Association, and a copy be sent to the family of our dead 
comrade. 
Walter R. Austin, Albert Barnitz, 

Acting Secretary. Brevet Col. U. S. Army, 

Pres. of Association. 



LETTER FROM COL. ALBERT BARNITZ TO MRS. LUMAN 

H. TENNEY. 

Cleveland, Ohio, March 1, 1880. 
Mrs. Luman H. Tenney, 
Glyndon, Minn. 

Dear Madam : 

Having just signed in the capacity of President of the Associa- 
tion, the engrossed copy of the resolutions passed at a recent meet- 
ing of surviving members of the old 2nd Ohio Cavalry, I have 
thought it not inappropriate, although personally a stranger to 
yourself, to add a few words, as testifying my personal regard 
and attachment for your late husband. I knew him scarcely other- 



186 In Memoriam 

wise than as a soldier, and did not indeed, become well acquainted 
with him until the vicissitudes of the service threw upon me the 
command of the regiment, in the closing campaign of the war, and 
then it was that I came to admire his unflinching courage and his 
soldierly ability; at Five Forks, especially, he rendered distin- 
guished service in command of his squadron — or battalion perhaps. 
I was near him through a considerable portion of the engagement, 
and well remember his valorous conduct upon that trying occasion. 
It was there, too that his brother, a handsome and noble boy, was 
shot down and instantly killed by a shell from the enemy's battery, 
as he stood in the act of firing his carbine, and just as I was ad- 
monishing him to shelter himself behind a tree near which he stood. 
I am perhaps the only living eye-witness of the occurrence, and 
unstrapped from my saddle the talma in which he was carried 
from the field ; and the circumstance is as vivid in my mind as if it 
had occurred but yesterday and all the other marked events of the 
engagement, and of the subsequent battles in which your husband 
participated. 

And so it is that although the war has been long ended, ''And 
our great deeds are half-forgotten things," yet I remember vividly 
my intimate associates of the war, and think of them always as I 
knew them in the field; and I think of your late husband only as 
the faithful comrade, the prompt, energetic and ever-reliable sol- 
dier; and you — you who ^'n your cruel bereavement will, more than 
another, mourn his untimely death, will remember him only in 
the peaceful and tender relations of domestic life, and may even 
deem it strange that, by reason of the past, whereof you know not 
except dimly, and as by tradition, a train of bronzed and weather- 
beaten men should come across the intervening years, bearing 
myrrh and incense, and ask to lay upon a soldier's bier some trib- 
ute from his comrades of the war. 

Respectfully and sincerely yours, 

Albert Barnitz, 
Brevet Col. U. S. Army. 



THE TENNEY FAMILY IN AMERICA 

IS DESCENDED FROM 

Thomas Tenney, the first ancestor in America. He came over 
with the Rev. Ezekiel Roger's company from Yorkshire, England, 
arriving in Salem, Mass., Dec, 1638, and settling in Rowley, Mass., 
April, 1639. He was about twenty-four when he came over with 
his wife Ann. His English home was Rowley on the Yorkshire 
Wolds East Riding. Rev. Ezekiel Rogers was a man of learning, 
very devout, possessed of much zeal, and felt keenly the religious 
persecution of King Charles' order to the clergy to read in church 
the declaration of sports, in which the king directed that no hin- 
drance should be thrown in the way of those who wished to dance 
or shoot at the butts (a target) on Sunday afternoon. Puritan 
Rogers, aggrieved at this and other persecutions, gathered to him 
in the parish of Rowley a company, Thomas Tenney and his wife 
Ann forming one family, for the purpose of emigrating to America. 

Dea. John Tenney in 1682 was one of the eighteen who formed 
the first Cong, church under Rev. Zacharia Symmes in Bradford, 
Mass. 

Dea. (Elder) Samuel Tenney was a Lieutenant in the Conti- 
nental army and a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1725. 

Jesse Tenney and Hannah were married in Norwich, Conn., 
1773, moving to Bennington in 1774. When the war commenced 
Hannah took her son Isaac on horse back to the Connecticut home, 
Jesse entering the service. After the war they returned to Ben- 
nington to their fine farm near the "Battle Ground" which now has 
the highest battle monument from tidal point in the world. Jesse 
Tenney was very benevolent and kind-hearted, so much so that the 
Bennington neighbors, in referring to him, would say, "Take it, 
take it, says Tenney." In 1805 he moved to Sudbury, Vt. 

Isaac Tenney settled in Orwell, Vt., on land which his father 
had purchased immediately after the Revolutionary War. 

(These facts taken from "The Tenney Family" by M. J. Ten- 
ney.) 



188 



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Jesse Tenney 


Joseph Tenney 




1699-1775 
Mar. Feb. U, 1723 

Abigail Wood 


Isaac Tenney 


1741-1815 

Res. Bennington, Vt. 

Was Commissary in 
Revolutionary War 

Mar. Sept. 30, 1773 
Hannah Griswold 


1775-1828 

Res. Orwell, Vt. 

Mar. 1799, Nov. 28 

Minerva Burke 


Ebenezer Griswolc 


Born July 29, 1725 
Mar. Nov. 7, 1748 

Hannah Merrill 







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James Harris 


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Becket, Mass. 


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Josiah Harris 




Cvl 


Born Nov. 30, 1783 




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Mar. Mar. 30, 1807 
Becket, Mass. 


Martha Parks 










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CO 

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Hiram Messenger 




Mar. Mar. 23, 1771 


CO 
1—1 


Charity Messenger 


Becket, Mass. 




Born Oct. 26, 1785 


Lydia Shapley 



;a. Sam'l Tenney 

367-1748, Lieutenant 
1 Bradford, Mass. 

Sarah Boynton 


Dea. John Tenney, son of Thonnas 


1(310-1722 and Ann Tenney 

Rowley, JSJass. 

Mercy Parrot, daughter Francis Parrot 


Capt. Joseph Boynton 


1(345-1780 of Rowley, Mass. 
Sarah Swan 


lorn 1()71, Died 1709 
Mar. Dec. 18. 1(390 



John Wood, son of Thos. and Ann Wood 



[ar. Jan. 1(3, 1(380 
Boxford, Mass. 

Isabel Hazen 



of Boxford, Mass. 
Edward Hazen 



Hannah Grant 



iBorn July 21, 1(362 

amuel Griswold Capt. Sam'l Griswold 



Francis, son of 



jBorn Feb. 8. 1()93 
oMar. April 2. 1719 



Born in Kenilworth, Eng, 
Mar. Deo. 30. 1(385 

Susannah 
Huntington 



Edward Griswold 

of Windsor, Ct. 



Christopher 
Huntington 



Ruth, daughter of 



:iizabeth Abell 



Dr. Sam'l Abell 



Dea. Wm Rockwell 

of Windsor. CH,. 



Elizabeth Slurman 



1 Now Groveland 



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189 

WAR OF THE REBELLION 
OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE 

ARMIES 

Some of the Many References (over 200) Made to the 2nd Ohio 

Volunteer Cavalry 

REPORTS. 

Vol. Part Page 
Col. Doubleday, Round Grove, Cow Skin Prairie, 

Grand River 13 102 

Col. Salomon, on Arresting Col. Wier 13 475 

Col. Kautz, Captain West's or Rocky Gap 23 1 371 

Col. Sanders, Sander's Raid 23 1 386 

Gen. Shackelford, Morgan Raid 23 1 639 

Col. Kautz, Morgan Raid 23 1 662 

Gen. Wilson, 3rd Cav. Div., Apr. 7 to June 16, 1864 36 1 870 

Gen. Mcintosh, May 5 to June 22, 1864 36 1 886 

Lt.-Col. Purington, May 5 to June 12, 1864 36 1 892 

Gen, Ferrero, Piney Branch Church 36 1 986 

Gen. Rosser, C. S. A., Piney Branch Church 36 1 1098 

Gen. Ferrero, Harris Farm 36 1 987 

Gen. Wilson, June 17-July 30, 1864 40 1 620 

Gen. Mcintosh, June 22-July 3, 1864 40 1 634 

Lt.-Col. Purington, June 13-July 24, 1864 40 1 641 

Col. Kautz, Wilson Raid 40 1 732 

Gen, Sheridan, Abraham's Creek 43 1 24 

Gen. Torbett, Aug. 8-Oct. 31, Nov. 12 and 21-23. .43 1 421 

Gen. Wilson, July 31 to Sept. 30, 1864 43 1 518 

Gen. Custer, Oct. 9 and Oct. 19, 1864 43 1 520 

Gen. Mcintosh, Sept. 13 and 17, 1864 43 1 529 

Lt.-Col. Purington, Oct. 9, 1864 43 1 539 

Lt.-Col. Whittaker, Moorfield, Feb. 4-6, 1865 46 1 455 

Gen. Sheridan, Feb. 27 to March 28, 1865 46 1 474 

Gen. Merritt, Feb. 27 to March 28, 1865 46 1 484 

Gen. Custer, Feb. 27 to March 28, 1865 46 1 501 

Col. Pennington, Feb. 27 to March 28, 1865 46 1 504 

CASUALTIES. 

June 15 to 30, 1864 40 1 232 

Sept. 19, 1864 43 1 117 

Oct. 19, 1864 43 1 137 

March 29 to April 9 46 1 591 

ITINERARIES. 

23rd Army Corps, Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 1863 30 2 576 

3rd Cav. Div., Aug. 1 to Dec. 22, 1864 43 1 98 

1st Brig. 3rd Cav. Div., Aug. 4 to Dec. 31, 1864. . .43 1 101 



190 

REPORTS. 

Gen. Sheridan, March 26 to April 9, 1865 46 1 1101 

Gen. Merritt, March 26 to April 9, 1865 46 1 1116 

Gen. Custer, March 26 to April 9, 1865 46 1 1129 

Col. Pennington, March 26 to April 9, 1865 46 1 1134 

Appomatox Campaign, Union and Confederate. . . .46 1 557 

to 1305 
Order of March at Grand Review in Washington, 

D. C, May 23, 1865 46 3 1190 



Index 



1861 PAGE 

Enlisted Sept. 9 1 

Camp Wade, Cleveland, Ohio Sept. 16 1 

Com. Sergt., appointment Sept. 20 1 

Home on freight Nov. 27 4 

Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, O., 8000 troops encamped Dec. 2 4 

1862 

Jim Lane of Kansas, to go under Jan, 6 5 

St. Louis, took cars for, 1300 strong Jan. 15 5 

Platte City, Mo Jan. 28 6 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Feb. 17 7 

Kansas Citv, Kansas, and Independence, Mo Feb. 22 7 

Fort Scott,'Kansas Mar. 10 9 

"Went out with detail of 20 to cut wood for regiment. Had 12 

mule teams. Drew 22 loads" Mar. 21 9 

"Heard the wolves howl in the night" Mar. 22 10 

"Went to the Fort to sign pay rolls. Sergts. receive only $17 a 

month. A joke on their extra stripes" Mar. 27 10 

Indians in their savage state April 13 11 

Horse Creek, Mo April 22 12 

Turkey Creek, Kansas, state senator a prisoner April 26 12 

Cowskin Prairie, "in the Cherokee Nation," Ind. Ter May 8 14 

Carthage, Mo May 10 14 

Lamar. Lost horse May 14 15 

"Went to creek to wash, Lt. Hubbard arrested Brooks and me 

because somebody had wanted us and couldn't find us" May 16 15 

Round Grove, Mo. Acted as carrier for the "General." Accom- 
panied Maj. Purington. Took many prisoners June 6 17 

"We boys sent to Wilson Dodge to get Maj. Purington a $10 

ring" June 22 18 

"Finished march, Neosha to Cowskin, tent blew over, soaking 

wet" June 30 19 

In saddles at 3 A. M. Rode 18 miles, encamped on Grand River. .July 3 20 

Letter, Flat Rock July 11 20 

Capt. Nettleton sick. Col. Wier under arrest July 18 21 

Rocky Creek, Spring River. "The present hour looks dark but I 

have faith in the future" July 30 22 

"Marched today 22 miles over a barren prairie. Camped 16 

miles from Ft. Scott. Got to fooling with Reeve" Aug. 2 23 

Lone Jack, Mo Aug. 17 26 

Johnstown, Mo., breakfasted at. Rode all night. Slept bareback. 

Major Miner fell from his horse. It was almost impossible to 

get the sleeping ones awake and along Aug. 19 27 

"Boys fully convinced that we would soon get mustered out of 

service. All talk about home visits" Sept. 1 29 

"Marriage of Sister Minnie" Sept. 6 30 

Detailed for picket guard Oct. 3 35 

Newtonia, Mo., battle of Oct. 4 35 

Bentonville, Ark. Wrong countersign given Oct. 18 37 

Fayetteville, on a scout Nov. 6 41 

191 



192 Index 

18()2 PAGE 

"A Grand Scene" Nov. 7 42 

"Bullets whistled merrily for a season" Nov. 8 42 

Cane Hill. Sick with chills Nov. 14 43 

1862 letter, "that soft bed at home" Dec. 1 46 

"Bid Kansas good-bye and off on hog cars at Weston, 34 in a 

freight car, all lay down piled top of one another" Dec. 19 50 

Vallandighamism Dec. 23 51 

Columbus, arrived at Dec. 23 51 

Resume of year 51 and 52 

1803 

Camp chase. Libbie Kinney Jan. 6 52 

"A. B. N. and Melissa married today" Jan. 8 53 

Furlough home, ten days Jan. 20 54 

"Theodore allowed to enlist" Feb. 12 56 

"Crisis," robbing of the Mar. 5 58 

Furlough home, three days Mar. 23 60 

Cincinnati, ordered to move to April 5 64 

Maysville, Ky., Ohio River April 8 64 

Lexington, Ky April 14 65 

Monticello, Ky., Skirmish, John Devlin killed June 9 72 

John Morgan's raid, beginning of July 3 77 

John Morgan surrendered July 20 80 

Columbus, O. "Put under guard." "Ludicrous" July 26 80 

Cincinnati, O. Military prison July 28 81 

2nd Lieut., commissioned July 29 81 

Furlough, ten days Aug. 1 81 

Tenn. line, crossed the Aug. 26 85 

2nd Lieut., mustered as Aug. 28 85 

Burnside, order from, "any man guilty of stealing," etc Sept. 2 86 

"Thede walked fi-om Oberlin most of the way." "Co. 'C boys 

can't be beat" Sept. 7 87 

Cumberland Gap, E. Tenn Sept. 9 87 

Thief, whole division witnessed the drumming out of a Sept. 15 88 

Mossy Creek, Tenn. "Boys' Master Dick came for them. I 

threatened him and he left" Sept. 16 88 

Greenville. Home of Andy Johnson Sept. 18 89 

Carters Station, Tenn Sept. 22 89 

Greenville, Tenn Oct. 2 and 3 91 

Blountville, near. "Sergt. Bails wounded" Oct. 14 93 

Siege of Knoxville. "Great scarcity of provisions" . . .Nov. 17 to Dec. 4 97 

Morristown, Reconnaissance Dec. 10 100 

Col. Garrard, carrying orders for Dec. 15 101 

1804 

Still in E. Tenn. "Happy New Year. Frozen and just starving". Jan. 1 104 

"Jennie" Jan. 9 104 

"Veteran furlough" of 30 days for those re-enlisting Jan. 13 105 

Courtship scene Jan. 17 105 

E. Tenn. people, description of Jan. 21 105 

Chattanooga, climbed Lookout Mt Jan. 22 106 

Furlough, 30 days. Oberlin and Cleveland Feb. 17 to Mar. 24 107- 111 

Mt. Sterling, Ky. Marching orders to Mar. 19 111 

At Cincinnati, telegram ordering to Annapolis, Md. "Boys re- 
ceived the news with Huzzahs" Mar. 25 111 

Annapolis, Camp at Mar. 29 112 

R. Q. M., detailed to act as Mar. 30 112 

26 officers and non-com. officers ordered into Penn. to buy horses 
for regiment. "Gen. Burnside came to see us one day." 
"Another day, Burnside, Grant and Washburn reviewed 

us" April 8 to 19 113 



Index 193 

1864 PAGE 

Washington, D. C. Arrangements for transportation to Gies- 

boro April 22 113 

"Regt. marched at 11. Thede and I stayed behind to get receipts 
for property. Left between 5 and 6. Capt. and A. D. C. on 
Ma j .-Gen. Auger's staff disliked to give me pass for fear we 

would be gobbled!" May 1 114 

Grant's attack on Lee, beginning of, and the Campaign of the 

Wilderness May 5 114 

Grant said, "A Brigade today, will try a corps, tomorrow" May 10 115 

Hanover C. H. "Again the 2nd O. V. V. C. did splendidly, prob- 
ably saving the Brigade" June 1 118 

"Gen. Wilson remarked today to Gen. Sheridan that the 2nd 

Ohio was the best regiment in the Division" June 5 118 

Smith's Store. "Most fatiguing work we ever did" June 15 119 

Charles City Landing. "Horses very weak, having remained un- 
der the saddle 108 hours with no feed and little grazing. 

Dropped one horse" June 16 120 

"Captured 22 guns and many prisoners." "Oh the anxiety to 

know the result of the fighting today" June 18 120 

"Major N. best man in our regiment" June 21 120 

Charlotte C. H., Va. "Our boys did not indulge in one disgraceful 

thing to my knowledge" June 25 121 

Stony Creek. "Regt. reduced to 50 or 60 men who lay upon their 

faces till midnight" June 28 122 

Reams Station. "Kautz said the orders were to get out the best 

way possible" June 29 122 

"Sharpshooters, got popped at twice by" July 2 123 

Brother John, visit with. (Prof. John M. Ellis was serving on 

the Christian Commission at City Point.) July 3 123 

A. B. N. had horse shot July 18 124 

"John preached for us" July 24 125 

"Boys exchanged papers with the Johnnies" July 28 125 

Burnside's explosion of a mine July 30 125 

"Accidentally walked off into the river" Aug. 5 126 

Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign, beginning of Aug. 5 126 

Potomac, moved up the Aug. 7 127 

Winchester, within two miles of Sept. 7 130 

Commissary Returns Sept. 10 130 

"Houghton told me there was business on hand and the General 

would like me for aide" Sept. 18 130 

Winchester, Battle of Sept. 19 130 

Tom's Brook hill Oct. 9 132 

Cedar Creek, Va., Sheridan, A. B. N Oct. 19 133 

Quartermaster duty, relieved from, and assigned to Co. C Oct. 30 134 

"Lincoln, 201 votes for, 4 for McClellan" Nov. 8 134 

"Hand-to-hand encounter." "Had my horse wounded" Nov. 12 135 

"Had charge of 2nd Battalion" Nov. 16 135 

"1st Lieut., Commission for" Nov. 18 135 

"Officer of the day" Nov. 19 135 

Mt. Jackson, found the whole of Early's army 2 miles beyond. 

"Had charge of 3rd Batt." Nov. 22 135 

1st Lieut., mustered as Nov. 28 136 

Talk with old gentleman who owned a farm Nov. 30 136 

Captain, notice of appointment as Dec. 13 137 

Shoulder-straps. "Christmas gift from B. F. boys" Dec. 17 137 

"New Market, camped 8 miles south of" Dec. 21 138 

Lacey Springs. Skirmish. Rosser's Div. "Awful day. 45 2nd 

O. men with frozen feet" . Dec. 22 138 

Newspapers. "Late successes are glorious" Dec. 23 140 

"Moved camp upon a hill near bv" Dec. 28 140 

Romney Pike. "Officer of the day" Dec. 29 140 



194 Index 

1865 PAGE 

The Dante Quotations 140 

Bricks from country, drew a load of Jan. 1 141 

Fire-place, built Jan. 2 141 

New house, moved in, 8 ft. square Jan. 3 141 

"Failed to get out at roll-call, first failure since being an officer". .Jan. 4 141 

Officer of the day Jan. 10 141 

Neat quarters, complimented by Corp inspector Jan. 13 142 

Officer of the day Jan. 20 142 

Brigade officer of the day. A. B. Div. officer Feb. 3 143 

"Received one wagon to each company to fix up stables with, 

worked all day in rain. Macadamized them" Feb. 23 144 

A. B. N. Lakeside. Extract from 1911 letter 144 

Custer's letter 145 

Waynesboro, Va. 2nd Ohio in advance as skirmishers. "Drove 
the Johnnies pell-mell. Took a good many prisoners myself. 

Gen. Custer gave us great credit" Mar. 2 146 

"My Battalion ordered forward at a trot in chase after 'Early.' 
Kept up the chase 12 miles, scattered the force, many horses 
played out. 10 miles from Richmond. Custer offered 30 

days' furlough to the captor of Early" Mar. 14 147 

"No breakfast. Haversack empty for two days" Mar. 16 147 

"My Battalion on outpost" Mar. 19 148 

Accompanied Col. Nettleton to the boat, which he took for Wash- 
ington and home on a five days' furlough Mar. 22 148 

Albert Ellis. "A child born" Mar. 23 148 

Appomattox, crossed the, continuous firing Mar. 27 148 

"Work ahead" Mar. 28 149 

"The whole night occupied in paying off the regiment. Up early 

after a little nap" Mar. 29 149 

^'Lay in the mud till noon, moved 4 miles over awful roads and 
camped five miles from Dinwiddle C. H. Barnitz uneasy all 

night. Allowed no rest" Mar. 30 149 

Dinwiddle C. H., at 6 P. M. Horse wounded Mar. 31 149 

Five Forks, Va. At daylight, without supper or breakfast, ad- 
vanced at sunset in the thickest of the fight. Theodore Ten- 

ney killed April 1 149 

L. H. T. letter of April 1, 1866 151 

Note telling of marriage 153 

Petersburg letters of 1868 153- 154 

Sailor's Creek. "Chester and myself charged nearly 4 miles. No 

support. Chester wounded" April 6 155 

Chester's letter 155 

Appomattox Station. Fighting all day. "Horse hit by a shell, 

and I struck by a spent ball" April 8 155 

Appomattox C. H. White flag. "Glorious day. Surrender". .. .April 9 156 

"Custer's Farewell order" 156 

J. T. Haskell's account of white flag 158 

A. B. N.'s note about white flag 158 

L. H. T. letter of April 8, 1866, describing battle at Appomattox 158 

Put in application for leave of absence. Report that Lincoln was 

killed. "God grant it may not be true." "Assassination". ..April 15 160 

"Got my leave and took cars in evening" April 16 160 

A. B. N.'s note about Gen. Johnston's surrender 160 

President's remains in state, viewed April 18 161 

Home ten days April 20 161 

"F. Henderson and Will Keep" April 22 161 

Columbus. A. B. N. commissioned Col May 8 163 

Washington May 10 163 

Bladensburg, in camp near, "Got ready for the 'Review.' Whole 

Div. in red neckties" May 23 164 



Index 195 

1865 PAGE 

Grand Review, A. B. N.'s description of 164 

Missouri, regt. ordered to, Took cars with Melissa for Cincin- 
nati May 27 165 

Fitch, Martin, death by drowning June 2 166 

St. Louis, Benton Barracks June 8 166 

"Field officer of day. Think of resigning very soon" June 9 166 

A. B.'s muster out came June 13 167 

"Sent in my resignation" June 14 167 

"Went to town and saw Sister M. and A. B. off" June 15 167 

"Took my horse to city, sold for $100" June 17 167 

Discharge came July 11 169 

Home July 13 169 

Resume 170 

B. F. Memorandum 173 

C. G. Fairchild letter 173 

In Memoriam 179 

Red River Valley News 179 

Military Order of Loyal Legion 180 

"Major Tenney's comrades," by Captain Chester 181 

Resolutions, 2nd Ohio Cav 185 

Col. Barnitz' letter 185 

Genealogical chart 188 

Index 

Official Record 

Map 






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0. PLACE. DATE. 

56 Dandridge, Tenn Dec. 25 

57 Mossey Creek, Tenn Dec. 27 

1864 

WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN. 

58 Wilderness, Va May 6 

59 Wilderness or Todd's Tavern, Va May 7 

60 Alsops Farm, Va May 8 

61 Spotsylvania C. H., Va May 12 

62 Piney Branch Church, Va May 15 

63 Harris Farm, Va May 19 

64 U. S. Ford, Va May 21 

65 Newtown, Va May 27 

66 Mechump's Creek, Va May 31 

67 Hanover C. H., Va May 31 

68 Ashland, Va June 1 

69 Haw's Shop, Va June 3 

70 Cold Harbor, Va June 3 

71 Old Salem Church, Va June 4 

72 Shady Grove Church, Va June 11 

73 White House Landing, Va June 12 

74 St. Mary's Church or Smith Store, Va June 15 

WILSON'S RAID ON SOUTH SIDE AND DANVILLE R. R. 

75 Nottaway C. H., Va June 23 

76 Roanoke Station, Va June 25 

77 Stoney Creek, Va June 28 

78 Ream's Station, Va June 29 

79 Siege of Petersburg, Va June to Oct. 

80 Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va July 30 

SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN. 

81 Winchester, Va Aug. 17 

82 Summit Point, W. Va Aug. 21 

83 Charlestown, W. Va Aug. 22 

84 Kearney ville, W. Va Aug. 25 

85 Berry ville, Va Aug. 31 

86 White Post, Va Sept. 3 



KEY TO MAP 

Battles, Actions, Engagements and Skirmishes of the 
2ncl Ohio Volunteer Cavalry 

1862 

NO. PLACE. DATE. 

1 Independence, Mo Feb. 22 

2 Hor.sc Creek, Mo May 7 

EXPEDITION INTO INDIAN TERRITORY. 

3 Grand River, Cow Skin Prairie or 

Round Grove, Ind. Tor June (i 

CAMPAIGN IN SnUI'IlWEST MO. AND N. W. AFtKAN.SA.S. 

4 Lone Jack, Mo Aug. 18 

.5 Newtonia, Mo Sept. 30 

6 Newtonia, Mo Oct. 4 

7 Cane Hill, Ark Nov. 14 

8 Cane Hill, Ark Nov. 28 

9 Prairie Grove, Ark Dec. 7 

186.3 
KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN. 

10 Mount Sterling, Ky March 19 

11 Monticello, Ky April 30 

12 Monticello, Ky May 1 

13 Monticello, Ky May 30 

14 Monticello, Ky June 9 

15 Rocky Gap, Ky June 9 

SANDER'S RAID INTO EAST TENNESSEE. 

16 Wartburg, Tenn June 17 

17 Lenoirs, Tenn June 19 

18 Knoxville, Tenn June 19 

19 Kno.xville, Tenn June 20 

20 Strawberry Plains, Tenn June 20 

21 New Market, Tenn June 21 

22 Mossey Crek, Tenn June 21 

23 Powder Springs Gap, Tenn June 21 



1863.— Continued. 

NO. PLACE. DATE. 

24 Powell's Valley, Tenn June 22 

25 Rogers Gap (Smiths), Tenn June 22 

MORGAN RAID. 

26 Near Jamestown or Columbia, Ky June 29 

27 Columbia, Ky July 3 

28 Buffington Island, Ohio July 19 

SCOTT RAID. 

29 Richmond, Ky July 28 

;!0 Blue Lick, Ky July 30 

:!1 Paint Lick Bridge, Ky July 31 

32 Lancaster, Ky Aug. 1 

BURNSIDE'S EXPEDITION INTO EAST TENNESSEE. 

33 Winters Gap, Tenn Aug. 31 

34 Loudon Bridge or Lenoirs, Tenn Sept. 2 

35 Cumberland Gap, Tenn Sept. 9 

36 Carters Station, Tenn Sept. 22 

37 Zollicoffer, Tenn Sept. 24 

38 Jonesboro, Tenn Sept. 28 

.39 Greenville, Tenn Oct. 2 

40 Greenville, Tenn Oct. 3 

41 Blue Springs, Tenn Oct. 10 

42 Rheatown, Tenn Oct. 1 1 

43 Blountville, Tenn Oct. 14 

44 Siege of Knoxville, Tenn Nov. 17 to Dec. 4 

45 Walkers Ford, Tenn Dec. 2 

46 Thorn Hill, Tenn Dec. 7 

47 Morristown, Tenn Dec. 10 

48 Cheeks Cross Roads, Tenn Dec. 12 

49 Bean Station, Tenn Dec. 13 

50 Bean Station, Tenn Dec. 14 

51 Rutledge, Tenn Dec. 15 

52 Rutledge, Tenn Dec. 16 

53 Blains Cross Roads, Tenn Dec. 17 

54 Blains Cross Roads, Tenn Dec. 18 

55 Dandridge, Tenn Dec. 24 



1864.— Continued. 

NO. PLACE. DATE. 

87 Abrahams Creek, Va Sept. 13 

88 Winchester, Va Sept. 19 

89 Cedarville, Va Sept. 20 

90 Front Royal, Va Sept. 21 

91 Milf ord, Va Sept. 22 

92 Waynesborough, Va Sept. 28 

93 Bridgewater, Va Oct. 2 

94 Columbia Furnace, Va Oct. 7 

95 Tom's Brook, Va Oct. 9 

96 Cedar Creek, Va Oct. 19 

97 Mt. Zion Church or Newtown, Va Nov. 12 

98 Mt. Jackson, Va Nov. 22 

99 Moorefield, W. Va Nov. 30 

100 Lacey's Springs, Va Dec. 21 

1865 
RICHMOND CAMPAIGN. 

101 Waynesborough, Va March 2 

102 Goochland, Va March 11 

103 Ashland, Va March 15 

APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN. 

104 Dinwiddle C. H., Va March 31 

105 Five Forks, Va April 1 

106 Namozine Creek, Va April 3 

107 Sailor's Creek, Va April 6 

108 Appomattox Station, Va April 8 

109 Appomattox C. H., Va April 9 



1863. — Continued. 

DATE. 

56 Dandridge, Tenn Dec. 25 

57 Mosscy Creek, Tenn Dec. 27 



PL.i^CE. 



1864 



WILDERNESS CAiMPAIGN. 

58 Wilderness, Va May 6 

59 Wilderness or Todd's Tavern, Va May 7 

60 Al.sops Farm, Va May 8 

61 Spotsylvania C. H., Va May 12 

62 Piney Branch Church, Va May 15 

63 Harris Farm, Va May 19 

64 II. S. Ford, Va May 21 

65 Newtown, Va May 27 

r,G Mechump's Creek, Va May 31 

07 Hanover C. H., Va May 31 

68 Ashland, Va June 1 

69 Haw's Shop, Va June 3 

70 Cold Harbor, Va June 3 

71 Old Salem Church, Va June 4 

72 Shady Grove Church, Va June 11 

73 White Hou.se Landing, Va June 12 

74 St. Mary's Church or Smith Store, Va June 15 

WILSON'S HAID ON SOUTH -SIDK AND nANVILLE R. R. 

75 Nottaway C. H., Va June 23 

76 Roanoke Station, Va June 25 

77 Stoney Creek, Va June 28 

78 Ream's Station, Va June 29 

79 Siege of Petersburg, Va June to Oct. 

80 Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va July 30 

SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN. 

81 Winchester, Va Aug. 17 

82 Summit Point, W. Va Aug. 21 

83 Charlestown, W. Va Aug. 22 

84 Kearneyville, W. Va Aug. 25 

85 Berryville, Va Aug. 31 

86 White Post, Va Sept. 3 



NO. 
87 
88 
89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
96 
97 
98 
99 

100 



1864. — Continued. 
PLACE. DATE. 

Abrahams Creek, Va Sept. 13 

Winchester, Va Sept. 19 

Cedarvillc, Va Sept. 20 

Front Royal, Va Sept. 21 

Milford, Va Sept. 22 

Waynesborough, Va Sept. 28 

Bridgewater, Va Oct. 2 

Columbia Furnace, Va Oct. 7 

Tom's Brook, Va Oct. 9 

Cedar Creek, Va Oct. 19 

Mt. Zion Church or Newtown, Va Nov. 12 

Mt. Jackson, Va Nov. 22 

Moorefield, W. Va Nov. 30 

Lacey's Springs, Va Dec. 21 



1865 



RICHMOND CAMPAIGN. 



101 Waynesborough, Va March 2 

102 Goochland, Va March 11 

103 Ashland, Va March 15 



APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN. 



104 Dinwiddle C. H., Va March 31 

105 Five Forks, Va April 1 

106 Namozine Creek, Va April 3 

107 Sailor's Creek, Va April 6 

108 Appomattox Station, Va April 8 

109 Appomattox C. H., Va April 9 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




005 900 363 A 



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